Mailey's Art Room

Yesterday morning as I was working on my birdie pattern in the bed (lazy days are almost over, I've got to take advantage!), I began to hear a commontion in the art room and then the den.  "Mailey, what are you doing?"  "Making a tent, can you help me?"  After a little coaxing that heavy fleece blankets would not work the spanse she wanted, and I found a perfect sheet, she began to tape away.  When we were done she was beyond smiling.  Ok, now what I thought?  And I ask, "Now Mailey, what are you planning to play in your tent?"  And she replied most emphatically, "MOM, it's my ART ROOM."  Oh.  OK.  And then I grin from ear to ear as well.  So here is her art room, which by the way is still in tact.

Of course I asked her why an art room when she could just work in my room.  And she says, "Mom, have you seen your art room this morning?"  Um.....she may have a point.  Here's my desk with the piles creeping into the work space.

Yikes!  And this is the other table in the art room where the piles have totally taken over the table.

So last night when I wanted to pull out the sewing machine and try Singer sewing the new birdie, well.....I took over the kitchen table as well.  We can eat in the den in the art room tent, right?

And here's a neaky peaky at what the above mess was able to make.  I am beyond excited about the new bird......and it's little cage.  

The Creative Type

Are you the creative type? I am. And I do believe this gene has been passed along to my dear children. As a child, I had a Barbie house, it was a white 5 story bookcase. My sister Molly however, had the real Barbie penthouse. I liked mine better though because I could put the furniture where I wanted, there were no pre-painted walls telling me where to place the toilet or bed. I made furniture out of boxes and Legos and clothing from materials around the house. This year, my 7 year old wanted the newest Barbie penthouse. And boy, it has more bells and whistles (and toilet flushing sounds) than Molly's ever had. It is a site to see........see........Mailey received more Barbies than one could really play with. A pink golf cart, blue punch buggy, Nurse Barbie, retro bathing suit Barbie, and oh so much more in of course all shades of pink. Why, oh why aren't there more orange Barbie accessories?? But guess what folks. This little creative soul was on Christmas Day asking the following. "Mom, where is the candy bowl and the tape? I am going to make Barbie a dress out of candy!" (her eyes were like wildly happy with this idea) "Mailey, a candy dress?" She must have seen my look of complete tiredness because she then said, "Well, what could I make a dress out of other than fabric?" "How about some paper?" "I'll go see." "Okay. " And she comes back with tape, my vintage green velvet ribbon and the Barbie. Within minutes, Barbie was wearing this fashion forward green swirly number:

Mailey was quite proud of her little creation. Billy and I just lay in bed shaking our heads. "She thinks of the most imaginative stuff " he said. Yes. She does. The next day every Barbie and Troy in the box received a new swirly ribbon dress, Troy ribbon shorts. And they are hanging out in the penthouse having a New Year's party as we speak.

My creative brain is working on micro paintings for Naked Art Gallery.

Flower power frames for my booth at The Vintage-Flea.

And of course, a new batch of feathered friends. My goal is to have something finished before the 2010 bell rings tonight! I hope you have a wonderful evening!

Felted Flying Friends

Remember when I stitched all those birds on the way to and from my beach trips this summer? Well, they finally have either a bird cage to rest, mold to stand, nest to lay or Eiffel tower to perch! All 29 of them are done. Whew. Seriously whew. Now to get them all posted into my flickr site here. Here's a sneak peek at a few new favorites: This one is called "Dream Big". At the top I have stamped the words "Dream Big" onto vintage paper. We all need a little reminder to do just that, don't you think?

This is "Mrs. Creamberry". She is a very robust bird, so she really needed to be a Mrs. I love all the embellishments on her nest.

And last, a "Maddie". I found this amazing blue felted wool at Hobby Lobby. I was just tickled because blue sweaters were slim pickings at the thrift store. Well, please head over to the flickr and check them ALL out. I've had a wonderful time creating them, but now I am very ready to move onto painting. I've got the Naked Art Gallery needing more wall pieces and a show in less than 4 weeks!! Oh my!

Art Imitating..... Well ART!

This is one of my favorite paintings I've ever made. There's just something about the layers of color....and of course the little Mattie Bird with a party hat. Who can resist a bird in a party hat? Right? Anyhoo......while making new felted birds this go around, I decided to make some with more embellishments and definitely more personality. A fun Mattie was first on the agenda. I finally found a "Mattie blue" felt at a local craft store. One thing led to another and now we have a 3-D version of "Mattie Turns 30" above. She is sitting on top of a mache box you could fill with a fun Birthday treat or two!

Here's all the little babies I have left to add legs, stands, embellishments, etc. to. Doesn't it look like they are all saying , "Pick me....oooo...ooo...me next....pick me!" Or maybe I am just getting delirious in this art world of mine. I've got 11 completed (which if you follow my blog is twice the number on the SMART goals this week!!), and about 20 to go. What was I thinking?

Well....gotta go. Mr. Green Jeans is in his cage right now not wanting to sit up straight. And I need another glue stick, again. See you next week sometime when I finish up! My fingers are tingling to paint so I am sure there will be some fun compositions to share.

Going Green?

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am participating in the Art of Green show in Senoia this Saturday. When asked to do the show originally I thought really? Me? Paint is not exactly an eco-friendly medium, and I am a painter. What on earth would I sell? I was politely reminded that the frames around all my paintings and tiles are made from recycled barnwood. And my little felty friends are quite the green art. Hmmm.......okay. So here's a sampling of what you'll see this weekend: Felted bird sculptures on stands made from vintage jello molds. I found some recycled cages too- old industrial mixing beaters and a light bulb cage.

I finished up about 50 new framed tiles yesterday. This is my favorite of the printed products.

The one item missing from my booth however was jewelry. The little porcelain pendants are a great seller, but not exactly eco-friendly. While in Alabama over break I found the glass curtain rings pictured above. I immediately thought of jewelry when I saw them. I've always loved the Smart Glass line of jewelry. So I scooped the set up and here's what I've made with them:

I had some brass hand-patinae chain left over from my nest jewelry line as well as some hand patinae vintage charms. Overall I am super excited about revealing these recycled products to shoppers on Saturday. I'll show off my sculptures from recycled parts tomorrow. I've got some antennas to attach before they can be revealed! Have a creative Tuesday!