Think Happy. Be Happy. Collage

Think Happy. Be Happy.

This vivacious modern girl is as at home under a tree in a busy city park as she is picking apples in an organic orchard. 

Don't you just love her boots?

I modelled her after my friend, Rachael. It's so much fun for me to make these with someone specific in mind.

I did a big shop update this morning so if you want a sneak peek of what's coming up on the blog you can CLICK HERE

What's Up With Me :-)

Hey everyone,

Are you getting tired of seeing collages? I've been worrying about that and thought I'd just ask. Right now, I've been making a ton-o collages so that's been the bulk of my posts. But if you're bored, please speak up. I have thick skin :-) Okay, I don't, really. But I can handle it :-)

The last six weeks have been so busy and crazy! Wow! So I thought I'd give you all a highlight reel.

There was a forest fire! It was close enough that this is the view from my front door. Scary! The authorities had us pack but not evacuate. Fortunately no homes burned and all was well in the end.

My oldest turned 16!

I had my make-up done at MAC and tried false eyelashes for the first time. Haven't since, they are dirty looking things... any tips on cleaning them. Every time I pick them up I think, well there's an eye infection waiting to happen!

I also met an artist whose work I fell madly in love with and bought the piece that spoke to my heart:

And I've had three different big bad health things happen. *grumble* So I've taken my health in my own hands - temporarily until surgeons can Mr Fix-it the rest. A big part of that is no sugar. 

*GASP*

Which is why you've seen a lot less baking on this blog.

But I do have a backlog of cake posts needing to be written up so there still will be cake. I just feel weird sharing sugar-rich recipes when I'm convinced it's just not good for people. 

In the battle of ethics vs yummy-tummy which will win?

said in my best ready to rumble announcers voice

But, if you're jonesing for some dessert awesomeness from Casa Maki, my youngest son, Brayden, has started a blog that mostly features Mug Cakes. Mix in a mug. Cook in the mic. Easy, done. Portion-controlled. I approve.

Boy Who Cooks

And, as I'm sure you've noticed, I started an Etsy shop and it's been constantly sold out. Nearly every piece has sold in under two hours and I've been waking up most days to custom orders. It's been a wild, invigorating, unexpected, WONDERFUL experience and I want to thank all of you who have been a part of it.

Help Me Pick Their Hair

Good Morning! I was up all night (UGH!) so I put the time to good use and set to work on filling some of the backgrounds I made

 with lovely ladies. I was hoping you all could make some suggestions on what hair you'd like to see.

Blonde, brunette, redhead. Ponytails, bob, long, messy bun, funky precision cut. Let me know what you think would be a fun choice.

First Up: An expectant mom with a blessing from Proverbs:

Yeah... she's wearing heels. But you should check Pinterest; it happens a lot more than it did in my day. 

Next we've got the lady who is letting the light in. When I saw all that gorgeous yellow shining all around her I knew my theme. 

And finally, Be Happy. I love this down to earth apple tree lady... but she could also be an alternative, hippie-esque organic farmer. Hmmm...

So here's the deal, let me know what hair color/style you'd like to see on each girl in the comment section and leave your email/contact info. I will send each of you a coupon for my shop.

I've made a list of coupon amounts and you'll get between 10% and 25% depending on your comment number. 

Sound fun?

Be Okay With Where You Are

Be okay with where you are even if you know you want to change.

I made a little canvas. It's 4x6 and I love how adorable the size is. 

You really have to think and rein yourself in because at that size, every little thing counts. This was a great opportunity to use high impact products like dimensional paste. I mixed mine with some iridescent medium and it has a silvery raised look. 

Did you know you can press pastes, or mist, through border punched card stock for a fantastic effect? That's what I did here on the left hand side. It's a great way to add dimension and stretch the use of your punches.

Her dress and arm placement was really fun. I wanted to give the impression on a hand holding her dress. For the design, I originally traced a figure from a bridal magazine. (FYI: Bridal mags are INCREDIBLE resources if you're interested in figures wearing dresses.)

But those girls were so skinny I wanted to make them all a sandwich. So I redrew her noticeably curvier... and she's still pretty lean. Man, models are so bobble-headed nowadays. Poor girls need to eat a bit.

*SOLD*

Thanks so much for stopping by :-)

French Girl with Bob: Collage

You may have heard me say this before, but I think she's my favorite collage ever. Ever!

My goal for this one was to make shoes, shoulders, a bust and to try a new hair style. 

It was a real challenge but I think she ended up having really fun movement and I love her bright, urban-esque setting.

Her outfit is made from Sassafras Lass's Indie Girl line. I just LOVE each of those patterns and it was fun playing fashion designer with them.

Did you see her matching hair band?

And my challenge for all of you is to:

Make Today Ridiculously Amazing

or if you're reading this late - how about tomorrow?

*SOLD*

Thanks for the visit :-)

Risk to Blossom Collage: Bulk Backgrounds Applied

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. 

I think we've all been there and it's an exciting, terrifying time. 

This collage is meant to encourage those of us who find ourselves on the cusp of a new thing; be it a stage of life, a new job or an adventure.

May we all chose to leave the relative protection of the bud and blossom.

Did you try making the easy mixed-media backgrounds from the tutorial I posted last week? Today I wanted to show you what you can do with them.

Remember this card?

It was okay, but it was my least favorite of the bunch.

So I punched hearts from it making an abundance of interesting, layered, collaged flowers for her garden.

For the sun, I cut yellow paper, applied it with Mod Podge and when it was dry I colored it with yellow calligraphy ink, a little stamping and outlined the edges.

All the flowers that are not heart shaped were rub-ons that I applied jewels to the center and drew on stems with a pitt pen.

I first saw this quote on Alisa Burke's blog and had to use it immediately in my art. 

*SOLD*

Love is a Fruit: Mixed-Media Collage

I've really been digging the neon pink lately. I bought a pot of it and have gone through about a third of it in the last week. Isn't it such fun when you fall hard for a new color. Maybe some day I'll look back on this and refer to it as my "Pink Period".

There's a ton of dimension on this project. The whole right side is covered in dimensional paste that I colored with acrylic paint and then squished through a Prima stencil.

Love her cute boots!

She's a bit more of a girl, teen or tween compared to the last few ladies I've posted. 

Either that, or she's short like me :-) 

You can purchase this collage on ETSY and she's also available above in my SHOP.