Showing posts with label everything else. Show all posts
Showing posts with label everything else. Show all posts

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Astoria Rocks

Astoria Rocks is a thing around here - there's even a Facebook page devoted to these decorated pieces of stone. I painted my first rock today.

A friend recently lost her dog, Bear. She has asked friends to paint rocks in honor of Bear. So here's my first rock painting attempt, with my own twist:

Gesso layer
 
Printed a photo of Bear on Artist Transfer Paper, then ironed to fabric 
 
Adhered the fabric to the rock with heavy gel medium 
 
Adding detail

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Great Columbia Crossing 2017

While it's raining and blowing here today, this past Sunday was a spectactular day for the 2017 Great Columbia Crossing, a 10k walk/run that starts at the Dismal Nitch Rest Area in Washington, and ends near the West Mooring Basin in Astoria. Last year's event was cancelled (for the first time) due to a forecasted severe storm.

The Astoria-Megler Bridge is 4.2 miles in length, spanning the mighty Columbia River. The uphill portion of the bridge is a little more than 3,250 feet, which is about .61 of a mile. The hill starts about 3.9 miles into the race. The bridge crest is about 4.5 miles into the race. The grade of the hill is 5.62%, or a little less than a 4° slope.

Just check out some of these photos:
 
Taken from Dismal Nitch shortly after we arrived at the start. Nippy (39F degrees). 

Also taken from the Dismal Nitch start. Warming up slightly.
 
Take from the span of the Astoria-Megler Bridge between Washington and Oregon.


Monday, August 24, 2015

Just for Fun

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Early last month I signed up for an online workshop, just for the fun of it. After all, I live in Astoria where you can't throw a rock without hitting a Scandinavian!
 
The workshop starts today, and I'm anxious to get started. I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm ready to go Viking!*
 
Incidentally, my husband and I found a new series to watch online earlier this year ("Vikings," via the History Channel). Come to find out he's got some Viking blood in his lineage.
 
*From Randi Buckley's website:
Maybe you’ve always felt you were part viking.  And while it might be your heritage, the feeling goes well beyond DNA.  Ancient ways you may not know but feel a longing for.  Or you recently started watching the series “Vikings” and now get all tingly feeling when conversations head that direction.
Whichever way you’ve come, you’re here with a new interest or long held passion for the wisdom, strength, myth, and beauty of the viking woman.  Maybe for you:
  • It’s the paradox of the nurturing warrior.  She cares for hearth and home and can skillfully defend what is important to her.
  • It’s the adornment.  Clothing and jewelry of great beauty and otherworldly meaning.
  • It’s discovery.  Navigating by starlight to go beyond your own edges and find new inner and outer worlds.
  • It’s the magic and mythology.  Guided by power rooted in nature and beyond your own world.  Legends, sagas, ritual, and reverence.
  • It’s the society.  Women had more rights than most people realize.  Laws were made and lands were owned.
  • It’s the culture.  Music, art and architecture in homage to the Æsir , are stunningly beautiful and incredibly pragmatic.
  • It’s the divinity of doing masterful work with fierce (and wildly fun) celebration.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Abstract art and the task-oriented personality type

Lately (the past month or so), I've been focusing on getting some new dolls done for a magazine article featuring ODACA artists (http://odaca.org/). Tonight I decided to take a little break, and started working on a journal page instead. This one is for Life Book - a lesson by Jenny Doe (http://blog.crescendoh.com/), which is very abstract. This is my first layer, which is currently drying.

 I have trouble with abstract. I like it (or much of it), but have trouble creating it. I think this is because I'm a "Task" person, according to the People Mapping exercise we did yesterday for work. I can't say I was surprised, because the description fit me perfectly (I also scored very strongly toward People, as do many other nurses).  I guess I have to work harder at relaxing my brain.

You'd think as a Task person, I would have a very neat and organized studio. This is not the case.

More Art Journaling Explorations HERE

Monday, May 12, 2014

Yay! I got a project done!

It's not my Hoffman Challenge doll, but that's up next...

This one is the guitar case I started at Christmas for my grandson. I bought him a small scale student guitar, but it didn't come with a case. So I started one in December, made of pre-quilted fabric. It was basically done except for the binding, handle, and pocket.
 
It certainly took a bit longer to complete today than I'd anticipated. I had to figure out where the handles needed to go so the whole thing would be balanced as it was carried.  
 
And then as an afterthought, I added the pocket for picks and spare strings. 
 
I'm so glad to be done with this. Now I need to make the case for my granddaughter's accordion!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Reality Check

Here's a very short video shared at the Life Book site, that hits it on the head. Now to figure out where I am in the process...

Friday, November 29, 2013

Black Friday & Stuff

I have absolutely no intention of doing any shopping today. I tried it once (in-store shopping) on Black Friday, and swore I'd never do it again. It was an awful experience.

I have, however, absolutely no problem shopping online! I have to work on Cyber Monday, but as I don't have any clue what the family wants for Christmas I wouldn't even know where to start.

My intentions today were to pick up my grandson from Great Grandma's house (she and Grandpa were called upon to babysit over the holiday), then hunker down at home and try to do something crafty. I have sewing to do, journal pages, and many unfinished projects.

Sadly, we lost my dear Uncle Rick this week, so I'll be traveling today and staying over to attend a family gathering tomorrow to say goodbye. It'll be good to see family again. And maybe I can get some gift ideas, too.

Frankly, there's no way I could work effectively in my studio right now, as it's a complete disaster. You'd think I was a hoarder by the looks of it. I've got supplies and projects-in-progress everywhere. I could spend an entire day getting it straightened up. I'm too embarrassed to post a photo, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

I've been taking an online course from Jane Davenport these past few weeks, called "Print & Scan." And for that class I bought myself a nice new fancy printer (which is also occupying space in my very crowded studio). My hope is to potentially make prints of some of my journal pages and sell them on Etsy or something. I've already learned TONS of stuff, including some things that can be done in Photoshop/Photoshop Elements.
Print-Scan-JaneDavenport-square-600

Thursday, November 7, 2013

New Fabric (I couldn't help myself)

Well, I did it. I bought more fabric when I promised myself I wouldn't. I could tell you it's because these charm packs were on sale at Green Fairy Quilts, and that may have played a small part. Mostly, it was because I thought these collections were bright and cheerful. I've had them for about a week, and I think they'll make up really cute simple lap or twin size quilts.

Then today while checking my email, I saw that Craftsy was offering another free quilting class. Of course I signed up for it. I learn new things with each class I take, and the teachers are all really good. This mini class is called Piece, Patch, Quilt: Basic Quiltmaking Skills with Gail Kessler. I doubt I can get something done before Christmas (too many other projects), but that's sort of what I had in mind.

This charm pack had me thinking of my sister, so she may get something in the distant future:
Moda Charm Pack - Bobbins & Bits by Pat Sloan
Moda Charm Pack - Bobbins & Bits by Pat Sloan
 
And this one appealed to me.
The color schemes of both are pretty similar, huh?
Moda MINI Charm - Pot Luck by American Jane
Moda MINI Charm - Pot Luck by American Jane
 
Incidentally, Craftsy is offering another free class called Professional Family Portraits, and as I just purchased a REALLY NICE camera, I signed up for this one as well. My new camera is a Canon EOS 7D, and I'm just starting to find my way around all the cool features. Even in the basic Auto mode, the photos are fantastic. I got the "For Dummies" book for this specific camera and I've got a DVD tutorial coming soon.  


Monday, August 26, 2013

Housekeeping ~ Duplicate DVD for Sale (Blogalong day 26a/30)

Yesterday I reviewed my inventory of books, magazines and DVDs. And I found (only one?!) duplicate. I checked on Amazon, and the DVD is currently out of stock and sells for almost $30. Click on the Amazon link above for reviews if interested. I'm selling this one for $15 plus postage to the first person that emails me! blueheron61@charter.net

Now I'd kinda like to dig out the polymer clays and play a little.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Nah, I don't have a stash problem... (BlogAlong day 23/30)

Spent a little time trying to organize my art/craft books and videos. And I realize that I've got a little *problem* when it comes to the collection of said media.

After spreading out my art journaling books, I can clearly see I don't need any more inspiration. I've got plenty. I should not be allowed to buy any more journaling/mixed media books! I've got enough to last a lifetime.
 
This shelf contains doll magazines, books about fashion, costuming, dolls, bears, and photography and other odds-and-ends. 
 
These are my sewing/quilting/textiles books - as well as other inspiration. I swear I need to install the Dewey Decimal system here.
 
 
These are doll DVDs, magazines and holiday books. The big red and blue notebooks are the masters of my published doll patterns.
 
And more doll magazines, Cloth Paper Scissors magazines, Quilting Arts, Art doll Quarterly, Beading magazines. I just can't stand the thought of getting rid of all this! So I won't. I pity the folks who have to go through my stuff when I die.
 
Oops, found a stash of videos. And I see a duplicate (bottom row). Will have to sell one. Stay tuned...
 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Musical Getaway! (BlogAlong 13/30)

Going to work this morning for a day of meetings at work (ok, I'm escaping a little early), then we're heading to the Edgefield to see Steely Dan at an outdoor concert. I'm excited to see all the artwork throughout the buildings and grounds. Better bring a hat, cuz it's supposed to be in the upper 80s in Portland today!

 

Historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy: original buildings carefully restored with cozy interiors, gardens grown using organic methods, great food and drink, live entertainment and more.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Hometown Love (BlogAlong day 7/30)

Driving home from getting groceries yesterday, I had to stop and pull over about a quarter mile from home. Sure, I was in a rush to get the ice cream home before it melted, but I was compelled to stop for a moment and enjoy this little slice of Heaven.
Sometimes it's hard to find the beauty in things, other times it slams you upside the head. This day I  thankful for the reminder to stop and take a moment to appreciate what I have.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The Color Purple (BlogAlong day 6/30)

I'm getting ready to start my Life Book 2013 Week 31 lesson. The teacher suggests shades of purple and blue - though in reality, any color scheme could be chosen. And can you believe that the huge dresser drawer (and overflow basket) of acrylic paint in my studio contain just about every color under the sun EXCEPT purple?

Now, I realize I could mix blues and reds to create purple, but I chose not to go that route. So after a particularly heinous shift in the ER, I decided to perform my own personal Critical Stress Debriefing with a little therapeutic shopping. These are my new paints (I decided to throw in a couple blues and a pink, too). Pay no attention to the brush that was obviously left in a jar of rinse water way too long -
a bad habit of mine...
 
I had some fun reading about the color purple this morning.
From the website http://deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy.htm I read about the healing and mystical properties of this color. It reminded me of Nursing School and the course on color/crystal therapy and therapeutic touch (one of the instructors was into the woo woo stuff). I liked her. She gave me a piece of amethyst.
 
Violet / Purple

Healing properties: These are colors of transformation. They heal melancholy, hysteria, delusions and alcohol addiction and bring spiritual insights and renewal. These colors slow down an over-active heart; stimulate the spleen and the white blood cells (immunity); bring sleep; soothe mental and emotional stress...

Leonardo da Vinci proclaimed that you can increase the power of meditation ten-fold by meditating under the gentle rays of Violet, as found in Church windows.

Esoteric/magickal: Elemental spirit. Divination and prophecy. Angels. Psychic abilities, divination, counter-acting negativity/black magick, reversing curses, psychic healing, psychic power, inspiration, meditation, spirituality, spiritual power, astral projection, third eye, compassion, counter-acting depression.
 
Preference for violet/purple: Colors for meditation, contemplation, mysticism, spirituality and religion power. A longing to ascend and dissolve polarities (purple consists of the active red and passive blue), to improve the world. Reservation, mystery and dignity. Soft, sensitive people with often paranormal abilities.
 
And when I looked up the color purple on Wikipedia I learned more interesting things...
 
Purple was one of the first colors used in prehistoric art. The artists of Pech Merle cave other Neolithic sites in France used sticks of manganese and hematite powder to draw and paint animals and the outlines of their own hands on the walls of their caves. These works have been dated to between 16,000 and 25,000 BC.[15]

Beginning in about 1500 BC, the citizens of Sidon and Tyre, the citizens of two cities on the coast of Ancient Phoenicia, (present day Lebanon), began to exploit a remarkable new source of purple; a sea snail called the spiny dye-murex. This deep, rich purple dye made from this snail became known as Tyrian purple, or imperial purple.[16]

Friday, August 2, 2013

AUGUST ~ already?! (BlogAlong day 2/30)

I have been negligent in blogging this summer, so I decided to join Effy Wild in her 30-day BlogAlong during the month of August. It started yesterday, so I'm only a day late.

This summer is passing by mighty quickly. Where did it go, and what did I do to enjoy it? Not all that much. Certainly no leisurely getaways to distant locales.
 
My husband and I did rush off to Portland last week (right after I got home from work), to attend a concert at the Portland Zoo. We saw Randy Newman, who is an amazing performer. 
 
We have had some pleasant and enjoyable evenings out at the Fort George - you know times when you just don't feel like cooking? I thought you did. Here's a photo from the Fort. The ship caught my attention because it looked so rusty, and much smaller than many of the ships that travel up and down the Columbia River. It reminded me of some horror-at-sea movie I've seen! 
 
We have plans to sail up the river to Crims Island over Labor Day weekend with other folks from the local yacht club. It seems like I always work that particular weekend (and it's not a fun one to work in the ER). I think my husband volunteered us to play music there, too.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Brave Girl Art School



Looks like a wonderful new class, offered through the Brave Girls site! I enjoyed the Brave Girls "Soul Restoration" workshops, though I'm still working on some of the projects.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Zip Line Fun

There's nothing like a bit of spontaneous fun to brighten your day. My friend Allison and I decided we'd try ziplining today. There's a new business just 10 minutes from home - called High Life Adventures.

After our "8-line tour" we spent the afternoon doing crafty stuff - painting glasses, vases and dishes with glass paint, followed by a barbecue.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Winter Solstice Blessings

Today is Winter Solstice, something I've never observed, but I really like the idea. The solstice happens at the same instant for all of us, everywhere on Earth. But our clocks say different times. This year, the December solstice takes place on Wednesday, December 21 at 11:30 p.m. CST.

What is a solstice? The earliest humans knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted in a regular way throughout the year. They built monuments, such as Stonehenge, to follow the sun’s yearly progress.

I did a little reading today, and this site talked about the multicultural aspects of this day:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/wintersolstice.htm

Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid December. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal.

Strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. Decorate your home with lights, greens, and holiday colors. Bless your home with a Yule wreath on your front door and sprigs of mistletoe inside. Take up a collection of food and/or clothing at your Yule gathering and give what you collected to a social service agency to distribute to the needy. Place sunflower seeds outside for wild birds to feast upon. Greet the Sun at dawn on Solstice morning by ringing bells. Do magic for a more peaceful planet.

SOLSTICE SUN CHANT by Selena Fox
Solstice Sun, Shining Bright!
Shortest Day & Longest Night.
Solstice Wish of Hope & Cheer:
Peace on Earth, throughout the Year!

Here's a LINK to Yule Crafts. 

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Organizing Fabrics ~ SOLUTION FOUND (but such a time-consuming task)

There's no question I have too much fabric in the studio. I love that friends think of me and pass on remnants, but the fabric tends to accumulate. So I started shopping eBay for a solution. I found a seller who listed hand-held wire shopping baskets in lots of 12, for a pretty good price (and shipping wasn't through the roof, either). They were the right size to fit on my wire shelf.

Over the past week I've been organizing the fabrics by color family. Now I can easily pull out a basket and see most of what's in there. And I don't have to worry about fabrics slipping behind the shelf ('though I found a few treasures back there!)

Trouble is, I ran out of baskets. So I ordered a second lot, which arrived yesterday. I may have a few baskets left over, but I'm sure I can find uses for them.

This is a before photo taken a couple years ago. It didn't look quite that good at the beginning of my project last week. If anyone is interested in these baskets, check out seller Bentley's Display on eBay. They're located in Portland, Oregon, though these particular baskets are made in CHINA (for those who feel strongly about buying American). I prefer to do that as well, but these were the only baskets I could find that were the correct size. They arrived the day after I bought them. I am not affiliated with the seller, just a happy customer.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A Little Organization...and a Book for Sale (SOLD)

I spent a whole day organizing my craft and art books (I've got way more than I'd care to admit), and in the process found I had a duplicate - I just didn't realize it because the covers were different.
So I'd like to sell one of them. This one is no longer in print, and has a copyright  of 2003. I went to Amazon to see how much this book was going for, and the current price is $32.90 for the used books:
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Life-Like-Figures-Polymer-Step-/dp/0974153001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310498690&sr=1-1

The newer version of the book (only the cover is different) is going for $12-14:
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Lifelike-Figures-Polymer-Clay/dp/0823015033/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I'm asking $12 plus postage (which I'll figure out after I calculate for your shipping address) - to the first person that emails me. The book has minimal shelf wear. SOLD

Friday, July 1, 2011

More fabric arrived!

Bingo! This is the same fabric I bought at Fabric Depot several years ago ( "powder" color). Now I've got nearly 8 yards of beautiful skin tone fabric for dolls with the powder and cameo shades. Here's a photo of the two fabrics side-by-side. 
Maybe I should order one of the ethic shades, too. I've got quite a lot, but all are knits of various kinds - not woven.