From the Pines

Notice

2011-01-21T11:39:00.002-05:00

I am finding it weird to have 2 blogs. There are things I want to post both places and it seems redundant to do things twice. There is one me so I want to put all my posts together.

Since the cheryl connell one is tied to the website and artwork, I have imported all of the posts from here to there.

The address is cheryconnell@blogspot.com

Please update all your bookmarks and hope to see you there!

Thanks,

Cheryl

2nd week 365 pics

2011-01-14T13:24:00.004-05:00

Jan 8 - my friends birthday card I made her. We went for dinner at the Keg too - very yummy!

Jan 9 - Groceries on the way home...

Jan 10 - Sweet potato fries I made for supper.

Jan 11 - House sitting for friends.

Jan 12
Jan 13- At my friends house - a cool glass window in the bath.

Jan 14 - More things to put up for sale.

This is kind of neat - having a daily diary of my life this year.

Ch-chaaaaanges

2011-01-11T14:34:00.003-05:00

I now have the website up! whew what a lot of work. I am linking it to the art blog though and will be updating there too. I am not sure what to do with this blog - not sure how many people come here - Hi Janet and Kim! oh and MOM - and it might be confusing to have 2 blogs. I might see about importing these posts to the art blog and then continuing with one... what do ya think?

Above is a new piece I painted and I have more listed at the etsy store here

I have a facebook fan page here that is pretty cool. I made a custom home tab and it makes it is more unique than landing at the wall. You can still access the wall and leave a comment!

I am also on twitter which is a lot of fun! Meeting lots of artists on there and tons of great content because these people are all interested in the same things. Like a bunch of mini blogs.

That's it for now! yikes. I want to start a zazzle shop for products and maybe an artfire shop for other art. I am working on my youtube channel and would like to start posting some videos.

oh, and maybe make some more art.

Yeah, that would be good.

365 Project

2011-01-07T16:43:00.004-05:00

So... I already posted the first pic on Jan 1 and these are the next ones for the week.

A cool cup I got from Sarah for Christmas. I like owls. And I don't drink a lot of coffee, so it is beside my computer where I can see it all the time.

Jan 3 was spent most of the day looking at this. Got a lot done though!

Jan4 - this is a decal that Sarah got me too. This is in the craft room.

Jan5 - cupcakes I made for Sarah's birthday.

Jan 6 - A trip to the library and these are SOME of the books I got. Look at the size of that snow leopard book! And I only get it for 3 weeks cause someone else wants it next.eek.

Today. Some of the prints I just listed on the etsy shop! They turned out really well and it is exciting.

Sorry for some flashes... sometimes I wouldnt think of it till later and since it is dark here now at around 430 (yuck!) I had to use flash. :)

A new year and a new word.

2011-01-02T11:25:00.003-05:00

First, I am going to attempt the photo a day 365 challenge. Number one above! I will probably post them weekly but I will try to TAKE a photo each day. How hard can that be? :)

Christmas and Holidays was quiet and nice with family. I had my decorations BURIED so it was good that I went away! That meant that the stocking for Sarah was buried too and even though she is 18 (19 in 3 days! ) she still loves her stocking. I was gonna buy one, but I decided since I had the sewing machine out from making the monster (past post) I would make her one!

I hand stitched the name and did the trim and ribbon. She LOVED it! and now she can take it with her for her next Christmases.

Speaking of the previous monster, when she saw the one I had made - she wanted one! So I made her one of those too.

It's a rockin out one and with some leather and lace. She loved this too! And she can be a little picky... just sayin. She will tell you what she likes and doesn't like and she's not the "artsy" type like her mama so it was nice to see her like the stuff I did.

So now on Day 2 of 2011 I am putting out my word for the year too.

FOCUS.

Something I need a lot of - lol. I tend to do lots of things, have lots of ideas, and not get anything done. Some things done, but not the LISTS of things I would like.

So now to focus, get off the computer more - or USE it for making those things happen. Have a schedule for art, for reading, for leisure, make some deadlines and follow through.

I don't want to be all rigid but just clearer on the vision - FOCUS.

Good one.

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-21T16:24:00.002-05:00

Hopefully all your ins are outs and everything is in the right place. :)

I'm all ready and waiting to see my girlie!! We are going to see Harry Potter over the holidays as that is a tradition we have always seen them together. I thought maybe this year she wouldn't care, but she is MAKIN me! lol. She is like we always do this together - we have to see them all. So of course we are.

Lots of exciting things brewing and I will tell you all about it in the new year!

And maybe give you a sneak peek before then.

Have a joyful time wherever you are.

Chocolate Cookie Bark

2010-12-15T11:11:00.002-05:00

MMMMmmmm and easy peasy.

Melt some white chocolate. Add 2 T peanut butter and stir.

Melt some milk chocolate. (around 6-8 squares of each)

Add some cut up pieces of OREO cookies to both bowls and stir.(8 cookies)

Spread out in drops of both colors. Use knife to swirl.

Done.

The hardest part is stopping myself from eating it ALL.

Yikes.

We can always choose...

2010-12-03T11:32:00.002-05:00

A page from my art journal.

Nick Bantock contest entry

2010-11-24T09:42:00.002-05:00

This is my entry for a tribute to Nick Bantock contest. He is the author of the Griffin and Sabine books which I loved! Plus more.

There is still time to enter and the rules are here.

Here are some of my close ups. I had so much fun making this!

I had an old library card from the first book and used it. On the front of that are some metal wings and a piece of mica and a cigar tag.

I used some vintage stamps and made a hand done post mark.

A couple puzzle pieces and the number 5.

This piece of paper is tucked into the card and it is a copy of a french letter that I printed on vintage paper and then crumpled to look old.

See my entry here!

Meet Lulabelle!

2010-11-16T13:11:00.002-05:00

This is my monster for week 3 of the willowing class. I named her Lulabelle- not sure why- the name just jumped at me.

One thing I liked about this is that it is all made from stuff I had here. All recycled! Buttons, fabric, ribbon, felt - all part of my stash. Glad it came in handy for something :) Even the stuffing! I actually had no polyfil and I wanted her done NOW. So I took a flat pillow and gutted it! hehe.

This is a detail of her tummy. I am so psyched that my simple machine even did these stitches! The heart is an embossed velvet upholstery fabric.

It was nice to be at a sewing machine again.

Willowing week 3

2010-11-15T14:25:00.002-05:00

This is the cover of my altered book. I used scrabble tiles and a library card for the tag. Appropriately named "It's only too late if you don't start now"

Then another page spread celebrating all the things in my life...

I liked using old wallpaper with texture for the background - very cool.

Next up is my monstah!!

Willowing week 2

2010-11-10T12:23:00.002-05:00

First was to make a background on an old childrens board book. With gesso, stamps, paint and watercolor crayons. Then a transfer of me when I was a child. yeah, that's me with my mouth wide open in my high chair. lol! Same as now right? Always laughing and talking. A good thing I guess.

Then I had to write a letter to my small self and what I would wish for her.

Turns out a lot of things I have and want in my own life!

The next spread was to do a piece that represented the opposite of a traumatic event in your childhood. I didnt have one so to do a time when you were happy. The first things I could think of was my tire swing and playing in the haymow.

The thing that was cool was that I knew I wanted a tree on one page and a barn on the next and when I turned the page and started looking to do the background - there was a tree on one side and a barn on the other!! Very freaky.

So I used kids book pages to make part of the background and the whimsy is of myself since the memories are by myself. That continues now too - I like my alone time.

Once I can get the next videos to load - ugh! I can get started on the next lesson. Looks like we are making a stuffed monster!

Winter has arrived...

2010-11-08T13:30:00.002-05:00

Here in the north country...

This is the view out my back patio door.

Willowing week 1

2010-10-26T12:25:00.004-04:00

I joined the other 1000 (!!) people in this free class just for fun, but it has been really good!

The first week is an art journal spread where you write all your negative thoughts on one side and then cover them up with layers and then take those thoughts and turn them around to what they are trying to save you from.

On the other page she then shows you how to do a face and there are so many different results! So cool. I put glasses on mine since it is supposed to represent me (although I dont have long flowing hair!)

This is the finished page.

Drawing the portrait and covering up left page with gesso.

Start of the layering...

Layers of paint, stamping, gesso, crayons....

One thing I found out and would recommend is to take a picture. I thought I was done and after I looked at the image I could see things that needed improvement. A different outlook I guess.

See what I mean - this is a series of 3. After I took one, I took another and added more. What a difference! And I didn't do much. So subtle changes can make a big difference.

This was very cool and I look forward to week 2!

Favourite time of year....

2010-10-20T13:05:00.003-04:00

Some neat pictures

2010-10-05T17:27:00.004-04:00

I got this book at the library recently and it looked interesting....

Not until I started looking through it did I realize how cool it was. This guy has taken all things from nature - leaves, seeds, rocks, twigs etc and made art with them! And then uses the colors from nature for inspiration.

Some of the MANY photos -

A couch made of lily petals,

Chairs from seed pods,

Dresses from leaves,

and feathers.

And tiny little fairy houses and doors.

Check it out! Fairie-Ality Style by David Ellwand.

The Book of Awesome

2010-09-25T16:58:00.002-04:00

Some of my favourites:

Sound of scissors cutting construction paper

Green lights all in a row

Getting checked for ID

Getting gas before the price goes up

Drive through parking spaces

For many more check out the book and also the website.

We should all look for the awesomeness in each day. It's there if we look.

Beautiful box for sale

2010-09-21T11:31:00.002-04:00

Here's another item from my stash that I have been hoarding....

A great box for storage or display! Found here.

A little getaway.

2010-09-17T09:48:00.005-04:00

I have to blog about a getaway I took with Sarah before she started school... we went to the nearest city and took a couple days for shopping.

I decided to treat her to a hotel downtown and then we could make a couple days of it.

I picked the Hotel Belvedere since it was a great price and close to downtown. Plus it looked really cool! It has 20 unique rooms and its like a large bed and breakfast.

This photo is from their website and shows the front and the great patio where we had breakfast. Nice stone wall and plantings everywhere.

When we got there she asked me if I minded being upgraded to a bigger room - huh? NO!

She sent us up to the 2nd floor and we opened our door to this...

EEK! Original fireplace and 12 foot ceilings, bay window, antique furniture with a brass bed, original wood floors and tile in the bathroom and even a little kitchen. It was so cool. The stairs in the above picture went up to a walk in closet. I could live here! What a cool studio apt this would make.

All of the shutters were original and wood and closed and opened. With a great view as well.

All brass keys - a REAL key.

The tile in front of the fireplace.

Radiator.

And a confusing door above the bathroom door. Like WHERE does that go? And how do you get there?

Tile floor on the kitchen and bath.

Sarah thought it was ok (she's more of a modern girl) and she liked the free wifi on each floor - I was in my element and loved it all! I thoroughly recommend it.

Studio Tour

2010-09-14T10:35:00.004-04:00

Labour Day Monday I had a nice hour to myself and took myself to this...

I loved the idea of it being a walking tour and all the artists were in one place and all the art looked cool too with a nice variety.

It was really cool! They had the booths all set up on walking paths in the woods and also music and food set up.

I loved all kinds of things, but the painted chairs by Alice Hinther were neat and she had all kinds of jewelry with vintage papers which is right up my alley.

I also thought the rug hooking was really nice. She dies all her own wool and then cuts them and hooks them onto canvases of her own designs. Her name is Loretta Moore (no website)

And this guy blew me away! Jean Pierre Schoss had this giant moose made of recycled metal at the front gate and then tons of other things. I liked the metal flowers and all kinds of objects made of old propane and oil tanks and other metals. Check out his website here.

There were also other metal ornaments, a knife maker - awesome! , jewelry, stained glass, carving, painting and stone sculpture.

I am definitely planning on going back next year when I have more time. Wonderful!

Sundance Studio Tour

Small glass bottles for sale

2010-09-10T11:16:00.002-04:00

These have been in my stash for a long time and now that I am making my new art room, it's time for them to move on...

14 vintage glass bottles with screw on lids that have felt powder, glitter and bronzing powders in them. All made by TEXSTYLE Art Co.

For more details see here.

Collage Board

2010-09-09T10:43:00.002-04:00

Well Sarah(my daughter) is all settled in now in Residence in Nursing school! All of us are excited and a fun time for her.

We took a lot of her stuff, but she left this corkboard she had covered in collage. Not enough room and concrete walls. :(

This is made up of all things she cut out and made up.

The bottom corner is the one I like....

Some sayings:

First, you dream it. Then you do it.

Be an original

FUN FEARLESS FEMALE

Attitude

"I've got to be me"

I'm hungry for change

be SMART

I want life to mean something

There is no height restriction in breaking records - No minimum age for making millions

That whole "everyones doing it" thing

when it comes to being a teenager

and getting high?

Just another stupid stereotype.

Good advice I think.

No impact man

2010-09-02T14:41:00.002-04:00

NO Electricity, taxis, elevators, take-out food, tv and much more.

A film on a families decision to give up making an impact for a year

HIghly recommend it!

RR Journal page

2010-08-27T10:00:00.003-04:00

I got a nice surprise in the mail yesterday.. a round robin journal page swap I am in with the girls from Artfest.

Jessica sent me this page for my journal which has the theme of dreams. It is 5x7. I love how she did the whole thing with flying and birds.

This is one side,

and the other....

I love it Jessica! She has also got featured for her journals on Mary Ann Moss's blog here.

Check her out!

Sunday Assignment

2010-08-08T13:05:00.003-04:00

Please leave a comment saying what you "see"/ feel/ what this page means to you.

Try not to read the previous comments so you don't get influenced...

Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks so much for all your comments! That was so neat to read all the different views. Just for you curious ones out there - what I intended with the page was showing all the boxes and labeling them - was of all the things that we "think" keep us from our dreams. We think we are too old, we think we don't have enough money, we can't because of the family or kids, because there's no TIME, or we are afraid etc. I'd like people to "get out of the boxes" and just go for your dreams. NO excuses.

Crosscut Saw

2010-08-04T10:59:00.002-04:00

I finished a commission for a crosscut saw awhile ago and I am posting some pics now....

It was for my boyfriends aunt and she wanted a pic of the farm where she grew up including what it looked like then and now. She had some pics and an aerial shot of the farm too. She also wanted a painting of the truck her father used in his business.

The finished saw in their house!

I hope she liked it - Sean thought it was great and remembered his grandparents farm being like that.

A couple days at the cottage...

2010-08-02T15:42:00.002-04:00

Had some lazy days at the cottage recently. My friend invited Sarah and I for a couple days.

It was wonderful!

Can't wait to go back.

Vintage magazines for sale!

2010-07-27T15:17:00.002-04:00

I have listed this week some old magazines from the 50's and 60's on ebay.

Lots of variety from camping, to cars to photography!

And while you sit and read a magazine, how about a drink with some old swizzle sticks?

Some of these are great! I love the twig one and the one like a cane. They are all from bars and lounges.

All available this coming week here

Pressies in the mail

2010-07-23T13:52:00.004-04:00

As part of my sketchbook group - we did the 30 projects in 30 days - see below for my posts - and we each gave a little present for finishing. It was random and a surprise so we didn't know who we were getting it from.

This is what I got from Bea in CA.

4 ATC's made by her. I love the figure one with rhinestone brads for folding the arms and legs in.

Close up of stitching on one of the atc's.

And then an envelope stuffed with old ephemera and postcards and photos. Just up my alley!
Very cool to use in art journaling I think.

And then at the bottom of the envelope some neat brass hearts.

Thanks Bea!

Just because....

2010-07-13T10:36:00.002-04:00

My sweetie got me some flowers the other day.... aren't the colors pretty?

Yes, I am spoiled. :)

Summer is here!

2010-07-07T13:02:00.003-04:00

Well, we are getting the heat now! NOT complaining... June here was the worst on record for Rain so any day now with Sun is wonderful.

Lots goin on.. Sarah is officially graduated and it was a great ceremony.

Here she is with her loot coming off the stage at the end. Besides her diploma, she won highest marks award in 5 of her classes, won a gold watch for high marks, Ontario Scholar, medal for over 80% avg, 3 scholarships including the entrance one for her college and one given for future nursing students. Wow. so proud.

Her boyfriend surprised her with a wrist corsage... so pretty!

And her Dad brought her these.

Lots of great gifts including a nice one from her Nana! and I gave her the book I made, some nursing charms and a diary I had made for her since she was 10. I have another gift, but I haven't given it to her yet, so mumm.

She is now officially moved out and most of her stuff is gone and she moves into residence in Sept. :( Hard adjustment for me, but I know she is gonna do great!!

Other things keeping me busy is this tiny garden...

Oh, and laying here -

It's rough I know, but I think I can handle it.

Stay cool!

Something to think about....

2010-06-24T10:08:00.000-04:00

What Will Matter
By Michael Josephson

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no days, no hours, or minutes.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass on to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevant.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will all expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won’t matter where you come from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
It won’t matter whether you are beautiful or brilliant.
Your gender, skin color, ethnicity will be irrelevant.
So, what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built. Not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage and sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people knew you, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories of those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

Company!

2010-06-21T08:29:00.002-04:00

We had this guy wander in to the back yard a couple weeks ago... just came out of the woods.

Pretty menacing at first -

Then he just had a nice sit down and scratched his belly! So cool to see one up close.

He wandered around for about an hour and then crossed the road and we haven't seen him since!

Fine with me. Once is good.

2010-06-18T12:40:00.002-04:00

I have been a fan for a long time of Alisons at Brocante home. I love seeing all her trials and fun with her son and all of her thoughts from England. Puttery treats, the pinboard feature is joy I love all the vintage pics.

The one thing that is difficult is trying to make a comment. I can't do it on safari or firefox and the comment service she uses seems to be not working and confusing. This might be why comments seem low!

30 of 30

2010-06-15T14:25:00.002-04:00

Clear GUT feelings that spare us emotions and save us time.

All Done!! woohoo.

I have a couple pages left in the book to do since it was over 30 pages and I want to do a final page for the last one - but this is it for the challenge.

It's pretty cool and I think I would like to make some more books with different papers and covers - possibilities are endless. I want to look through all my vintage paper and ephemera and make up some books.

That's all for now!

29 of 30

2010-06-15T11:21:00.003-04:00

To laughing so hard you cry.

28 of 30

2010-06-13T21:48:00.002-04:00

The wildness of Creativity and the wisdom of Intuition.

27 of 30

2010-06-13T21:41:00.001-04:00

Having your curiosity satisfied.

26 of 30

2010-06-11T13:59:00.002-04:00

People that expand our space.

25 of 30

2010-06-11T13:54:00.002-04:00

A group of people gathered around a summer nights bonfire.

24 of 30

2010-06-11T13:46:00.002-04:00

Fresh Baked Bread right from the oven.

23 of 30

2010-06-11T13:34:00.002-04:00

Never forgetting to be playful - It's a fringe benefit of being alive.

22 of 30

2010-06-10T11:40:00.003-04:00

Having a special spot to call your own.

21 of 30

2010-06-10T11:32:00.002-04:00

The comfort of your best-loved blanket.

20 of 30

2010-06-10T11:26:00.003-04:00

Growing wings on the way down.

19 of 30

2010-06-10T11:11:00.002-04:00

Losing all sense of TIME because you are absorbed in something that interests you.

18 of 30

2010-06-09T13:57:00.002-04:00

Standing at the edge of the sea feeling the knowledge of the earth eternal.

17 of 30

2010-06-09T13:51:00.003-04:00

Sight

Smell

Sound

Touch

Taste

The sensational experience of being alive.

16 of 30

2010-06-09T13:45:00.002-04:00

Our capacity to feel delight and awe about our beautiful little planet.

15 of 30

2010-06-09T13:40:00.001-04:00

Viewing artwork that speaks to your soul and transports you.

14 of 30

2010-06-07T15:51:00.003-04:00

Your favourite, worn pair of jeans.

13 of 30

2010-06-07T15:45:00.001-04:00

The occasional bliss of doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it.

12 of 30

2010-06-07T15:36:00.001-04:00

Delight in holding a child's hand.

11 of 30

2010-06-07T15:31:00.001-04:00

Fresh picked fruit.

10 of 30

2010-06-07T15:22:00.002-04:00

The season of being barefoot approaching.

9 of 30

2010-06-07T15:12:00.002-04:00

Music that makes us move our body.

8 of 30

2010-06-07T15:01:00.002-04:00

The imagination of others when it inspires our own.

7 of 30

2010-06-07T14:47:00.002-04:00

A life that is ignited, burning and fueled with CREATIVE PASSION.

6 of 30

2010-06-07T14:40:00.002-04:00

Escaping into a good book.

5 of 30

2010-06-07T14:24:00.001-04:00

The Joy Dancing can bring.

4 of 30

2010-06-03T15:04:00.001-04:00

The breath you take when you get a good idea...

3 of 30

2010-06-03T14:53:00.002-04:00

Feeling Free and never taking it for granted.

Day 2

2010-06-03T14:42:00.002-04:00

This is Day 2 of 30/30 project... I made the book in the previous post and I am making it a book of toasts. Things I want to make a toast too and remember....

Here's too...

New Journal and 30/30 project

2010-05-25T16:33:00.005-04:00

I watched a video on youtube about making a journal out of a pad of watercolor paper. It looked fun to do so I did it.

First, I had to cut the edges of paper in a decorative design..

Then the back of the pad is cut in half.

And taped together - I used packing tape but you could use bookbinding tape too.

I added scrapbook papers to the front

and glued them
added interior pages,

And then covered my tape with foil tape.

I sewed 2 signatures in,

and used foil tape to put on the outside. It covered up the stitching and I put plastic flowers underneath and then burnished them to show up.

I love this tape! You could use all kinds of objects underneath for a design.

This is a top view.

Now to fill all the pages!!

On one of my yahoo groups, we are doing a 30 projects in 30 days. This is Day 1. Shh, don't tell that I am days behind and now need to get to work.:)

400 posts - really?

2010-05-18T17:31:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that I have done 400 posts on this blog!

For a short break from out regular programming

A video I shot as part of the library team of Teresa and I. We had to do a book review, post it on youtube and then post it here.

So here it is!

Hurray for all tasks done!

Still workin...

2010-05-13T10:01:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I'm still here... stayin busy doing yard work, painting, decluttering. Lotsa fun!

Oh and working online.

These are some items I have listed on ebay at the moment.

Have a good day!

Podcasts

2010-04-28T09:55:00.003-04:00

For my work, I am doing 10 tasks learning Web 2.0 technologies.

This weeks task is to listen to a podcast and report on it and how podcasts could be used in a library setting.

I have listened to some, but for this task I listened to one at voodoo lounge - a blog by Rice Freeman-Zachery who is a very creative person herself! I listened to her interview Kelly Rae Roberts who I wanted to hear more about. The podcast is here.

I have a print of hers that you can see in my top banner, and I also have her book Taking Flight. Her website is here.

It was very informative, telling of how she started and advice for people that want to start being more creative or pursue their art. It is nice to put a voice to a name too. Pretty cool.

I can see how people could get caught up in these! There are tons of art and craft podcasts and I am glad I now have a connection that is fast enough. Very cool that they could be put on ipods too and listened on a commute or waiting in line!

I think there are a few ways these could be used in a library. There are many podcasts on book and DVD reviews, and many meet the author ones. It would be interesting to get to know a favourite author better.

If a patron showed an interest in a subject, for example travel - we could also point out the podcasts for more information. We could have links on the website sorted by subjects and pointing people to the different places to download.

Just like audio books are good for car trips or people with vision impairments, these would be good for that as well.

Very interesting!

eeek!

2010-04-23T09:15:00.002-04:00

Uh, yeah... I am buried in stuff. Moving around stuff, sorting stuff, stuff to dump, stuff to thrift stores and stuff to sell.

The snow is finally gone and I'm in the midst of getting the house ready to sell and fixed up and SORT, SORT, SORT. It's so wonderful to purge!

That's what I've been doing - you?

Macro Photography

2010-04-13T15:43:00.002-04:00

I opened up Pioneer Womans Photography blog today to see one of my photos made the cut!!

The topic is Macro and check out some more great photos here.

Woohoo!

New journal book

2010-04-06T14:30:00.003-04:00

The weather here has been amazing - high 20's!!! LOVE it - so I have been outside as much as possible.

I went down to visit my Mom and clean out some stuff and I had an AHA moment when I was moving some old records. I took all the records out of the book and look what it is....

Won't this be perfect for a journal altered book? Each section is an envelope and heavy brown paper. I can just cover up the holes with other paper and I am good to go!

This is on the inside of the front cover and very cool too. Could be great for a round robin and a sign in page! See - it has ARTIST already there.

This project is goin to the back burner of many other things I have to do around here, but I thought I would share.

5 more...

2010-03-25T11:00:00.002-04:00

Sketches. That fills the book and now on to something different. Since I also went through 2 pens!

I have a small 4x6 sketchbook that will take watercolor so I have been doing some of those.

Coming soon.

Lace box on ebay

2010-03-22T15:33:00.002-04:00

I have had this for a long time.. but now it is time to let it go. And hopefully to someone that can use it and appreciate it.

It is a vintage box full of old lace and doilies and ribbons.

I love the photo on the top of the lid.

And the lace is pretty nice too!

See it and my other listings here

Wow.

2010-03-19T12:02:00.002-04:00

Books and painting - together!! I love it.

Artist - Mike Stilkey website here

Kreativ Blogger award

2010-03-18T12:31:00.002-04:00

I got this award from Janet and Lisa. Thanks Guys!

Now as part of the award I have to do seven things:
(1)Post the image of the award
(2)Thank the person who gave it to me.
(3)Link to the person who gave it to me
(4)Tell you seven things about myself that you wouldn't know
(5)Choose seven great bloggers to give this award to.
(6)Give a link to their blogs
(7)Leave them a message on their blog.

This might be a little difficult, because any of you that have been reading this blog know quite a lot already!

1. The house I am living in now is my 21st.

2. All these moves have been in ON, Canada

3. Where I am now is the longest at 7 years.

4. I went to college for Graphic Design in Toronto and left after first year because I knew I couldn't be that precise (no computers!!) and have to live in a city. That field has all changed now and I could work where ever I wanted and use a computer... so it is an option at some point.

5. I am an only child and the mother of one.

6. I am left handed and love it! I think we are a special breed.

7. I crave alone time and that could be a product of #5.

I am not going to tag anyone. Anyone that wants to play - feel free!

If I were in the circus...

2010-03-14T14:20:00.002-04:00

This was a prompt from my awesome sketchbook yahoo group.

If you were in the circus, what would you be? I thought of it for a while and I wanted to be the gypsy fortune teller. With tents, pillows, long scarfs, crystal balls etc..

I went through my images and took out the ones that spoke this to me. After I had them all out, I found I had too many for one page, so I did a 2 page spread.

I love how everything came together and invokes the mood and what I was trying to make.

Oh, how did Johnny get in here? I suppose I would let him share my circus tent. Especially if he's bringin that piano. I could use some music in there. :)

Jigsaw puzzles....

2010-03-12T17:25:00.002-05:00

I love jigsaw puzzles...

Just finished a good one. Springbok (the best!) and an octagon shape covered in all kinds of postage stamps.

Isn't that a great feeling when you get done?

And then...

You're missing a piece!

or two.

Or six!

Grrr.

Good thing I got it dirt cheap ( guess why?!) :) but I want to use it for an art supply so I was prepared for missing pieces.

Stay tuned for what I do with these....

Keep on sketchin'

2010-03-08T12:07:00.001-05:00

The last 4 from the new issue of Country Living.... inspiration is everywhere!

It's here!

2010-03-05T09:55:00.004-05:00

I got my copy of the infamous flea market style magazine! I ended up getting it from Sue at VintageRescuesquad and she was sweet enough to ship to Canada.

I have just flipped through it and it looks wonderful. FULL of photos and not many ads.

Here is some peeks for you...

ahhh, now to sit in the sun this weekend and take my time looking through this.

Bliss.

New finds in the etsy store.

2010-03-01T12:38:00.002-05:00

Some items I have recently listed...

Vintage crystals,

cigar box,

berry boxes,

muffin tin for a great container in your studio.

All here.

5 more sketches

2010-02-26T15:45:00.001-05:00

This book's almost done! Gotta find another one...

Spring?

2010-02-23T19:56:00.001-05:00

I hear and see all kinds of spring talk out there in blogland..

this is a peek this morning of Feb up here in north Canada.

ugh!

Maybe in a few weeks..

It doesn't stop the birds though!

Catching up on some sketches....

2010-02-18T14:22:00.001-05:00

My new art blog

2010-02-13T10:00:00.003-05:00

I have some exciting news over at my new blog for just my art...

cherylconnell.blogspot.com

Check it out!

Also, have a wonderful Valentine's Day where ever you are. Remember, your first valentine is to yourself.

Some art journal pages

2010-02-11T10:21:00.003-05:00

This is the completed page from an earlier post... I like how it reminds me of early school pictures. The sun is cut out of paper and white cartoon clouds.

"Live a life of Passion" - YUP.

This one is all about my books. Can't imagine life without them. - now THAT doesn't sound geekish at all does it?! :)

Keeps me sane.

I also am loving my new white pen. It is a Gelly Roll and it just glides over all that paint!

This is the next one in progress - Life is the colour you make it. - for sure. And YES, that is how we spell colour up here. :)

Well, back to painting... some new things in the works!

5 more sketches

2010-02-05T15:50:00.002-05:00

As per popular request ( Hi Mom! ) here are 5 more sketches....

Getting to be a habit now :)

Some new items on Etsy

2010-02-02T10:48:00.003-05:00

I have been adding some more vintage finds to my etsy shop.

Sepia postcards - some from France..

Mini wallpaper packs...

A lot of different maps from 1919...

Some early sheet music...

And a great vintage gilded wallpaper piece!

All here.

Sketchbook drawings

2010-01-27T10:27:00.003-05:00

Some more daily drawings in my sketchbook...

Fatbook!

2010-01-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

What is a fatbook you ask? Well, it's 53 (FIFTY- THREE) pages all the same. 4x4" and all original. eek.

Did I mention both sides? yup.

I got mine all done and sent yesterday. woot! That was MY weekend gone. :)

This is the front and back...I attached a business card which just happens to say "once upon a time". Fitting since the theme is Fairy Tales.

I would love to add tons of stuff to these...but I gotta keep them sort of flat for shipping since I live in post crazy prices Canada. Speakin of which - everything just went up again Jan 15. and not a few cents either, like 8%! and this happens twice a year. Yeah, wonderful.

Well, we had RAIN and more rain yesterday and this morning awake to snow. At least its still mild. Rain just not seem right here in Jan!

Still sketching every day and I will post more of those tomorrow.

Mail me Art 2

2010-01-22T13:50:00.002-05:00

I sent another piece of mailart for mail me art 2. In England and the last session was made into a book. Great illustrators and designers.

This is in progress - after I painted the front of an envelope black and then drew on the design, filling it in with white marker and pen.

Finished and ready to send! I love the loons up there too showing a piece of Canada too. To see more awesome work, go here.

That was yesterday, and today I am working on my fatbook pages for a swap.eek. 53 pages!

And I am NOT the type to like doing things over and over. Stick a needle in my eye. geesh.

I can't wait to get the finished book back though, and then it will all be worth it.

I'll update when I get done. I want to send all these pages on Monday, so I better get busy!

Have a good weekend.

Journal page in progress...

2010-01-19T14:04:00.002-05:00

This is a page in progress.. don't ask me where the idea of faces in flowers came from?! I had a dream about them and thought it might be cool looking. I have added a sun and some words to this but still not done yet.

It looks joyful and I need some joy over here(a lot going on - involving boyfriend going to hospital and sickness and bad accidents) All is OK now - well, the best it can be - and I will be fine... just breathe!

Send me some good thoughts if you can spare them. :)

Mandala's and more sketchbook drawings

2010-01-13T12:42:00.002-05:00

So I saw the video going around about doing mandalas and it looked fun and pretty doable..

How do the lines get away?lol! This one is pretty wonky. Reminds me of a kaleidoscope.

This one is better - I would like to try more and I like the idea of coloring them in too. Or using different colors each time you add something. Fun!

Continuing on the sketchbook pages...

I found out a little secret too that is working for me.

After I finish the sketch for the day, I find what I want to draw for the next day so I am ready to go and not searching and getting frustrated and give up. Works for me!

Sketchbook drawings

2010-01-11T12:39:00.002-05:00

I got a sketchbook before Christmas and decided for the new year that I would try and draw one a day. Its the 11th and I am still doing it! yeehaw.

These are some of the earlier ones.

I will keep posting as I go - I did some mandalas too that were pretty cool.

It's really good practice and a challenge to find something to draw everyday.

I just have to look around though, and I will SEE.

My word for 2010

2010-01-06T12:48:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year and new decade! Whoot.

I know its Jan 6 .. lets just move on. :)

Finally back in the swing of things, it takes a while when you get used to holidays in your own house and to get back in the groove of getting something done.

Sarah is busy with volleyball on all nights and days this week and I am going to watch her tomorrow. Then her birthday dinner and dessert last night. She wanted trifle and when you live a long ways from the grocery store , sometimes you have to macgyver it! It turned out good tho.

Anyways,....

There is a lot of talk about picking a word for the year going around and I have picked DECIDE.

(I was just gonna say I decided to pick.. irony??)

So why DECIDE?

I read this on artbiz blog and feel that this word found me.

Some of these are from the post and some are ones I added.

DECIDE that each day will be a good day and that I’ll be in a good mood. That’s right: I can decide.

DECIDE that I’ll sing, smile, laugh, and dance more often.

DECIDE to make this a rewarding year filled with things and people I love.

DECIDE to make art. Make a schedule and just create!

DECIDE to keep eating healthy and watch what I put in my body.

DECIDE to make the most of the time I have.

DECIDE to take risks.

And one last one of mine,

DECIDE what kind of life I want to live. One without shoulds, settlements or regrets. I have one life so LIVE it.

Here's to a great year and decade!

My baby is 18!!

2010-01-05T10:56:00.002-05:00

Are you kidding me?? 18 today and every day a joy. She makes me laugh every day and is a great friend, girlfriend and daughter.

I can't wait to see what she does next!

Ice Storm 2009

2009-12-30T09:26:00.003-05:00

Yup, we got a mini version of the ice storm of 1998... trees covered in ice and snow, branches crashing on roofs, and missing cars, and no power on and off for 4 days.

Here are some shots... The ice makes for some great photos!

More snow is on the way....

oh the joy.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T09:02:00.002-05:00

A card I made.

I hope everyone has a good Christmas. Make some memories with the ones you love.

My Sketchbook

2009-12-17T14:40:00.000-05:00

Swoooooon!

2009-12-17T10:03:00.002-05:00

I was so stoked to get Papaya's catalog in the mail this week. Gorgeous!!

Couldn't you just DIVE in? One of everything please.

Cupcakes!!

2009-12-14T14:36:00.003-05:00

Homemade from scratch this weekend. Chocolate with cream cheese inside and frosting and sprinkles. I love sprinkles.

Yummm.

I'll leave you with a shot out my back window...

This is the sun coming up as it hits the backyard about 9... See all the snow?!

ARThouse Coop sketchbook

2009-12-10T14:18:00.002-05:00

I signed up for Art House Coop sketchbook project. You get a Moleskine sketchbook to fill and send back and it is part of gallery.

There are over 30 themes and they are assigned. Mine was Elephant in the room. At first I was like HUH? But after talking with my awesome sketchbook yahoo group, my wheels started turning.

I wanted to do it in a postsecret kind of way... altering postcards and attaching them to the book. At first I was going to write about all the things we know but don't talk about - alcoholism, divorce, affairs, abuse... and then I was getting depressed! I didn't want to promote negative - even in a small way. I wanted to send a message somehow and be straightforward and to the point and quick. I decided to make my cards on facts about world poverty and doing something to change.

This is my cover,

Before - with my postcards,

And some of them done before they were put in the book.

My book is uploaded to Picture trail and you can see it here in its entirety and in order.

Cheryl's Elephant sketchbook

Have a good day and stay warm!