Vintage Pleated Flowers

Recently took a class learning to make these wonderful pleated flowers with the "Amanda Jane" smocking machine... Wowzer, fun class but intense. Needed a glass of wine after that one. I have a new appreciation for women who make those beautiful dresses and blouses using this machine. But the end result is so worth it. My pictures are featured on "Vintage Affair" blog. These were made using everything vintage, except the thread...... very cool.

Each one was made with a little different technique. The gold one, actually was yellow ribbon, but once it was pleated it takes on a whole different effect. Vintage chenille was used for the flower center and the stamens were dipped in German glass glitter. The beige flower has vintage pearl stamens and the blue flower was made reversing the top layer of the ribbon from the bottom so it looks like it's two differnt colors of blue...

For the last several months I have been fortunate enough to participate in some wonderfully creative classes with artist and book author Arlene Baker. She is amazing and hosts a monthly class offering a dfferent technique class each month. Thank you so much Arlene for your hospitality and knowledge offered to us ladies.

Dress Up challenge "Always a bridesmaid never a bride"

It's June... one of the most popular months for weddings, so my entry for "Dress Up" challenge is "always a bridesmaid never a bride".

The skirt is made from a vintage hankerchief the bodice is made from sewn mulberry paper. TFL

Mixed Media challenge "Something Old"

Mixed Media challenge theme this week is "something old"... but the something old isn't my mommy in the picture....lol...This happens to be one of my favorite photos of my mom back in the day, but my something old happens to be the movie film strip that I applied to the layout. On a road trip recently I came upon this wonderful find in an old antique store. 1967 movie film strip.... I was so excited I think I actually screamed a bit when I found it This film strip as well as the handmade flower can be purchased at Studio Garage Band Etsy account.

Small World of Inches & Twinchies "Steampunk"

It's a new month and a new theme over @ Small World of Inchies & Twinchies . This month the theme is "Steampunk". Time flys and so it's important to take time to spend with special people in your life. Try not to rush all the time and sit down with someone special and have a cup of tea or coffee, or glass of wine, you get the picture ...lol... tomorrow is not promised to us to take advantage of today ... TFL xoxo

3 Muses & Collage Obsession challenges

Three Muses challenge blog has a theme this week, "Pick a song, any song" and Collage Obsession challenge had a theme of "Mirror". I've been putting off this project for a while now. Been wanting to do a collage of MJ to put on my wall in my studio and this worked out perfect because one of my favorite songs of his happens to be Man in the Mirror.

I cut up a poster of Michael and modge podged it to different size canvases, got out my hammer and broke up an old mirror I got from a thrift store (no I'm not superstituous .... lol) and carefully glued the pieces to form obscure images. My idea is to insert this piece in an old frame, possibly painted black and taa-daa... on the wall it will go.

"If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change. "

GOTHIC ARCH & ART ON A DARKSIDE challenge

Two blog challenges were worked on tbis project. First Gothic Arches this week was "your choice", and Art on the Darkside was "Jack the Ripper." This was almost a little too dark for me, but I dug deep and came up with the following piece. It's sad to say that this "murder" has become so infamous, probably because his identity is still unknown.

Thanks to Graphic Fairy for the victorian man . And by the way.... the R.I.P. isn't directed to Mr. Jack it's for his unfortunate victims.

DRAGONS DREAM TIO "Steampunk Influence"

This weeks theme over at Tag It On challenge blog is Steampunk Influence which has become such a fav of mine... Steampunk just allows you to go for it... be fun with a sense of serious, whimsical with a taste of scary... Just love it. Thought I would let the ladies have their day. I usually incoraporate men in my steampunk but after all "girls wanna have fun too". So I got to use my wonderful stamps from Oxford Impressions again. This line is called "Dress Maker". My fishnet stockings had a hole in them so the old garter is holding onto them... tee hee :) how fun.

THREE MUSES CHALLENGE "Time"

Three Muses challenge blog has "time" as the theme this week. I have this thing for clocks, not sure what it is but I have always liked them. So I was really jazzed when I saw the theme. Now confession time.. (hahaha no pun intended). I had made this project awhile back for another challenge but did not get it finished in time to submit, so thought this was the perfect opportunity to enter it for "the Muses"...hope you like and remember "Take Time To Create" xoxo

Creative Therapy Challenge "How has art saved you"

Over at Creative Therapy blog, the catalyst is "How has art saved you". Take a moment and drop by their blog for some wonderful testimonies and beautiful art.
For me, art is "freedom". Free to be me, without judgement. I tend to be a perfectionist, and art heals me of this. I used to be concerned what others thought of my crafts, or cooking or whatever artistic endeavor I was involved in at the time, but not so much any more. I feel peaceful when I am creating. Like my bio says, whether it's my scrapbooking, my painting, music, dance "art has always brought the calm to my clatter".
This piece is actually going to be donated to "Have a Heart for Haiti" auction, where monies are going to be donated to the Red Cross to benefit recovery efforts for Haiti. If you would like to create for a wonderful cause, then check out the blog. You still have time to participate.