tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87259123928690428102023-11-16T08:17:29.412-05:00Lilly*s of London*ishArt and Musings
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By Gina M. SmithGina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.comBlogger485125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-75753297212655927672014-09-29T15:27:00.001-04:002014-09-29T15:27:58.872-04:00Halloween 2014 Art Swap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4LcuX_j6tIc-nn0Zm8w-0FSaSSWTjPXzwEDmn4WTq3QbP8WHBYmxFaLk5qu9FM-bIZUbQQuT7xl8Un3GdJpwgBFD8P-9VG4GR_tdJuDb8RFtrT1OtG5pC-8iiLe_a9wGL-7xrkVw471G/s1600/swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4LcuX_j6tIc-nn0Zm8w-0FSaSSWTjPXzwEDmn4WTq3QbP8WHBYmxFaLk5qu9FM-bIZUbQQuT7xl8Un3GdJpwgBFD8P-9VG4GR_tdJuDb8RFtrT1OtG5pC-8iiLe_a9wGL-7xrkVw471G/s1600/swap.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-24777372398007139892013-11-12T16:33:00.000-05:002013-11-12T16:36:01.729-05:00Time for Holiday Bracelets as Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg61JssMp4kOBMv7CsyiJ3SMnkO8G4tkZMVS0uD9TQLUfvDh7ZJy-qU-EZcEKPwm1ul_xHpIJsw1pw7Eu3LuSoETRy9cnvGWxp0J9RJtxP8IkT3VzDmyTfiNrtr-aMzNI2_hxpG13xd69/s1600/bracelets+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg61JssMp4kOBMv7CsyiJ3SMnkO8G4tkZMVS0uD9TQLUfvDh7ZJy-qU-EZcEKPwm1ul_xHpIJsw1pw7Eu3LuSoETRy9cnvGWxp0J9RJtxP8IkT3VzDmyTfiNrtr-aMzNI2_hxpG13xd69/s320/bracelets+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIU2Q4dZPJo1qjKJPwq6lWOAkSAceHThRZSwk1dmilNKoY3NtVpwQmeU1MOxfvovVIBAbMXom4y7QU6lS-PUW1quPOCztVGnpUZno5xINVcWrp12COz0Ftx1fQbTAA0l39Mdmx4I5fTnk/s1600/bracelets+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIU2Q4dZPJo1qjKJPwq6lWOAkSAceHThRZSwk1dmilNKoY3NtVpwQmeU1MOxfvovVIBAbMXom4y7QU6lS-PUW1quPOCztVGnpUZno5xINVcWrp12COz0Ftx1fQbTAA0l39Mdmx4I5fTnk/s320/bracelets+007.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jxtm8xgqewT-3HFYMw2EnL3KTyfdrnD5bk8BrPVTWHo61s6XNL5EiGDCRAnHB2mStgLIt7OjwQgUSrYfNeXPt07nHJa6WvHlXEBaIb0Y_5kKoaprlisoDjYAq7MqA1hG9sao1gTcOesU/s1600/british+bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jxtm8xgqewT-3HFYMw2EnL3KTyfdrnD5bk8BrPVTWHo61s6XNL5EiGDCRAnHB2mStgLIt7OjwQgUSrYfNeXPt07nHJa6WvHlXEBaIb0Y_5kKoaprlisoDjYAq7MqA1hG9sao1gTcOesU/s320/british+bracelet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulJTsMTCC_nKW5rV9o5W5aq9uKsr4Qgf31jZWmZfBMgT2j63hdGjP2czmBlsqNHDeiK1blqXxsT8z4ExnMLo9WI7FrHLhViWLgbjzANOhknxAdiVp6Cnxo6vKD0_polnfYYMRJUyKrh2H/s1600/pink+bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulJTsMTCC_nKW5rV9o5W5aq9uKsr4Qgf31jZWmZfBMgT2j63hdGjP2czmBlsqNHDeiK1blqXxsT8z4ExnMLo9WI7FrHLhViWLgbjzANOhknxAdiVp6Cnxo6vKD0_polnfYYMRJUyKrh2H/s320/pink+bracelet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I gathered some of my past and present bracelet creations for inspiration as I start to make new ones to sell and to give as gifts. And what would be better than a yummy, full charm bracelet? A yummy, full charm bracelet <i>with</i> a full, yummy bottle of wine!<br />
The top three bracelets are my own. The first one is my Blythe Bracelet. This one has been through a few iterations. It first started as the result of a charm swap a few years ago in the Arte-du-Blythe group, hosted by Miss Vicky of<a href="http://missvickyb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Cut-It-Up</a> fame. Then I added a few kitschy things to it. But in preparation for <a href="http://www.blythecon2012.com/" target="_blank">Blythecon 2012</a> in Dallas I sent it to Natascha of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/InsanelySweetJewelry" target="_blank">Insanely Sweet Jewelry</a> on <a href="http://www.hpsgsmith.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a> to bling-it-up another notch.<br />
Next is my All Pink bracelet with a favorite handmade ceramic goth girl charm by Melanie of <a href="http://www.earthenwoodstudio.com/" target="_blank">Earthenwood Studio.</a> I love to look at it but often forget to wear it! Plus, as much as I do love pink, I hardly ever wear the color with the exception of fuschia now and then.<br />
All of these bracelets contain many elements by the talented Amy Labbe of <a href="http://www.articake.com/" target="_blank">Art-i-Cake</a>. I especially love the playful bracelet I flung on a wine bottle to photograph, and then realized what a great gift idea. This bracelet has a lot of my favorite things: Mini Lalaloopsy, a tuxedo cat, a Blythe maryjane shoe, vintage enamel flowers, soldered charms, pearls, rhinestones, multiple chains and BLING!.<br />
Time to get busy and make jewelry to sell in my little display at <a href="http://www.fejas.com/" target="_blank">Feja's Salon and Day Spa</a>.<br />
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<br />Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-60485337190968288682012-04-16T14:37:00.001-04:002012-04-17T02:01:40.455-04:00Back to charm bracelets again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYev2edlqhc31gatu63ffTnmC8VWIHy7BA0TAjyjNHwcK4BFLSu7K2Rr8Pq-xcSEZTCg2hZTpYbNwkkDNpTgBtKRsbzoVLHCyJSeghTyl1W8X1mR_Pdeg5N_cg83VzgesMGEU_Y0hNhoYE/s1600/charms+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYev2edlqhc31gatu63ffTnmC8VWIHy7BA0TAjyjNHwcK4BFLSu7K2Rr8Pq-xcSEZTCg2hZTpYbNwkkDNpTgBtKRsbzoVLHCyJSeghTyl1W8X1mR_Pdeg5N_cg83VzgesMGEU_Y0hNhoYE/s320/charms+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I took a little painting break this weekend to whip up this charm bracelet, inspired by the great vintage-look findings at Michael's, including 'Industrial Chic' by <a href="http://slkartmechanic.com/">Susan Lenart Kazmer</a>, whom I met at <a href="http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/">Art & Soul</a> one year, and 'Vintage Groove It' by <a href="http://www.elementsjillschwartz.com/retail/splash_page.php?cat_id=148&parent_id=0&top_level_id=148">Jill Schwartz</a>.<br />
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I've been selling a few bracelets along with other artisans at Feja's Hair Design and Wellness Spa in Gaithersburg. It's a beautiful two-floor affair in an historic building, and owner Feja Kim is an artist in her own right, now only with hair, but with beautiful watercolors, which can be seen on her <a href="http://www.fejas.com/">Web site</a>, including the charming painting of her building.<br />
If you are charm bracelet crazy like me, or into making jewelry, here's a few of my previous charm bracelets <a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2008/06/charming-charming-charming.html">here</a>, <a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2009/02/charms-charm-swaps-charm-bracelets-all.html">here</a> and <a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2009/08/charmed-im-sure.html">here</a>.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-67915716226055818712012-04-05T16:56:00.000-04:002012-04-05T16:56:09.406-04:00In a whimsy painting mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTF5_TsbYmQEwx_98OLEnWjKMT_MNDsdz8ez-GAMIuWwGbhrp1NlcLQLuPA0bMQ3dfY9ycAaK50IGTGBfwlTUTnOnSLmG4K7dxmo0HJJX8gHS9S9Py9PWbc8JvRmNx9dZnocjmYDsiURr/s1600/painting+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTF5_TsbYmQEwx_98OLEnWjKMT_MNDsdz8ez-GAMIuWwGbhrp1NlcLQLuPA0bMQ3dfY9ycAaK50IGTGBfwlTUTnOnSLmG4K7dxmo0HJJX8gHS9S9Py9PWbc8JvRmNx9dZnocjmYDsiURr/s320/painting+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyqyxHGC992aUa3wmo28Rno05QC_yvus1v5ziHJ08G4R6RO7h-EOSPnsObY8YMZe4Vi-re-cUMI1SPR-Jo_Rg-ZH0pWfHwBrr88SgbTpCf99IxWCsLYT2D1ZSm6pesy_ncgKEkyC2ePog/s1600/painting+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyqyxHGC992aUa3wmo28Rno05QC_yvus1v5ziHJ08G4R6RO7h-EOSPnsObY8YMZe4Vi-re-cUMI1SPR-Jo_Rg-ZH0pWfHwBrr88SgbTpCf99IxWCsLYT2D1ZSm6pesy_ncgKEkyC2ePog/s320/painting+008.JPG" width="247" /></a></div>I finally got out my acrylics and two 16 x 20 canvasses and committed to making a mess. I have been wanting to paint again for the longest time, and so I used some of my recent cat doodles for inspiration. Blythe, Alice in Wonderland and a certain kitty named Tinkerbelle also served as inspiration.<br />
Some techniques used were learned in a February class, including stenciling, mark-making and adding texture. Not sure either one is quite done yet as I usually like to add some tiny 3-D element. We shall see. The good news is I can't wait to paint again!Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-63036360839737592832012-02-21T15:15:00.000-05:002012-02-21T15:15:53.036-05:00Trying to keep a hand - or at least a finger - in art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZeaPj7jR4c_JuPptExS6UreEuOxC79YBnDnL4bW_LdS5vg5ft_GApYiLh_kn82mbom2crd8eTnXmSbDuSSGFRyD8a1LRjpZ4v06_-NW6tub6alg4cieEyg02CiZvgKsSJR4nKPXR4SUT/s1600/doodles+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZeaPj7jR4c_JuPptExS6UreEuOxC79YBnDnL4bW_LdS5vg5ft_GApYiLh_kn82mbom2crd8eTnXmSbDuSSGFRyD8a1LRjpZ4v06_-NW6tub6alg4cieEyg02CiZvgKsSJR4nKPXR4SUT/s320/doodles+001.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy5DjknLs_AGwTWwVEYr3b6JarI40fUEjrv9fqY_YSUD7dPcwU5zWJZlmxCkCGmsk1nkmNKE8nJyKGJcaYzb7z7XU1PZExSLgR7vyj7hYctdvAOIwuSZhSKdQZ0CBoF68ynqv94iIlqlH/s1600/doodles+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy5DjknLs_AGwTWwVEYr3b6JarI40fUEjrv9fqY_YSUD7dPcwU5zWJZlmxCkCGmsk1nkmNKE8nJyKGJcaYzb7z7XU1PZExSLgR7vyj7hYctdvAOIwuSZhSKdQZ0CBoF68ynqv94iIlqlH/s320/doodles+004.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfp4oIVUo3y7Cv1Fnz5qJvYVoq2icAlXsM0a2-hkqmpPAvM0VMf1lLlsaECcLrbxBab5Yi5OQ9KX6qpUFdv6V_1KaU7sH7jQ5Xl6JWBfX22qdQ17dFUsY9rE2kP-qaXXeQrs1J7QrChzb/s1600/doodles+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfp4oIVUo3y7Cv1Fnz5qJvYVoq2icAlXsM0a2-hkqmpPAvM0VMf1lLlsaECcLrbxBab5Yi5OQ9KX6qpUFdv6V_1KaU7sH7jQ5Xl6JWBfX22qdQ17dFUsY9rE2kP-qaXXeQrs1J7QrChzb/s320/doodles+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Seems like there is never enough time to make art, especially if it requires getting out paints, gesso, drop cloths and making a mess. Same for bead-stringing, collage, paper mache' and the like. But I always like to doodle and try to make time to at least do that. Here are some practice pages from my sketch journal, using techniques from some recently acquired books, including a Japanese manga-girl art book, and Japanese pen-and-ink doodle book and the simplified drawing books of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_11?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ed+emberley+drawing+books&sprefix=Ed+Emberley%2Cstripbooks%2C304">Ed Emberley</a>.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-66566379075830065552012-02-08T10:32:00.002-05:002012-02-08T10:34:49.962-05:00My 2' x 2' canvas from Dyan Revealey Super Bowl Sunday class at The Queen's Ink<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61LdYMDYKtsALkc5ds5WkHcArUM031oeKo6-mrws1QHNa-uad0D5bFbvNWKz3dlUxqMiFEDBVEmutpdYBeBa_bpcKgsdjtxgsqzSbC01_htWIW_v5woNc8u1XqP81Ndd8ugdd60SKaVcN/s1600/dyan+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61LdYMDYKtsALkc5ds5WkHcArUM031oeKo6-mrws1QHNa-uad0D5bFbvNWKz3dlUxqMiFEDBVEmutpdYBeBa_bpcKgsdjtxgsqzSbC01_htWIW_v5woNc8u1XqP81Ndd8ugdd60SKaVcN/s320/dyan+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjw11pMKQT1ws22NeWAGP1eT5ZQVYS8J6IM1BqBTvboaT7mCGYS5wgXlouLowc_YNsD3_PTabnLdmjpPje-RDeskA3JCpvnnxQCptxdoOCgVBYpm0DVdtiHQk_ZeKLZ6fHqlnxeaOhS_L/s1600/dyan+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjw11pMKQT1ws22NeWAGP1eT5ZQVYS8J6IM1BqBTvboaT7mCGYS5wgXlouLowc_YNsD3_PTabnLdmjpPje-RDeskA3JCpvnnxQCptxdoOCgVBYpm0DVdtiHQk_ZeKLZ6fHqlnxeaOhS_L/s320/dyan+025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-84593873586078074542012-02-06T15:55:00.000-05:002012-02-06T15:55:00.603-05:00Another class at The Queen's Ink with Dyan Revealey - Some of her art pictured here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvifEIhBrWG3WmBooO2IE6gNi5gakkQ0nLtQ-bGkF3JVdG7wdzrRVH3PsWnBft5exqEOB99ZbYEFohVYOUeZ8LH6iw9HSD9_9RMjIOL5SxwdhwpFdIrVJ_Butbd1hbyrytgN9F4BI6VjHt/s1600/dyan+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvifEIhBrWG3WmBooO2IE6gNi5gakkQ0nLtQ-bGkF3JVdG7wdzrRVH3PsWnBft5exqEOB99ZbYEFohVYOUeZ8LH6iw9HSD9_9RMjIOL5SxwdhwpFdIrVJ_Butbd1hbyrytgN9F4BI6VjHt/s320/dyan+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvc8nvouT6A_ucy4VaQMPXy4VrI9f0at_Jcuf1m7RPbs1y6hyphenhyphenzK2LpwGiXLYJYbZu8H8VvwAkPOJTxADkaJLGgLseyZTts1NjLfEg0e9LeJhtzI9U_0cRCV_X02BzMHnnORHs3dOae9emz/s1600/dyan+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvc8nvouT6A_ucy4VaQMPXy4VrI9f0at_Jcuf1m7RPbs1y6hyphenhyphenzK2LpwGiXLYJYbZu8H8VvwAkPOJTxADkaJLGgLseyZTts1NjLfEg0e9LeJhtzI9U_0cRCV_X02BzMHnnORHs3dOae9emz/s320/dyan+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnJ-TXPyDJS8H9TzoYg8hSZ1gbdRpFyINjy-pvEVXLAKLlJ8CFuR9nulflIogG6SWCYMRAYioVzrwtwgfW2RBqh8oeQGmv5H7uvxlM2y925qpV8gZ02X3ZJn7vVgHMB_5edz4oi9QZB0C/s1600/dyan+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnJ-TXPyDJS8H9TzoYg8hSZ1gbdRpFyINjy-pvEVXLAKLlJ8CFuR9nulflIogG6SWCYMRAYioVzrwtwgfW2RBqh8oeQGmv5H7uvxlM2y925qpV8gZ02X3ZJn7vVgHMB_5edz4oi9QZB0C/s320/dyan+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What a Super Sunday it was on Super Bowl Sunday! And a super Super Bowl, too. Sunday morning I took a mixed media painting class at <a href="http://www.queensink.com/">The Queen's Ink</a> in Savage Mill with <a href="http://dyan-reaveley.blogspot.com/">Dyan Revealey</a>, a Ranger senior Signature Educator from the U.K. I had taken <a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2011/07/finally-took-some-art-classes-again.html">two classes</a> with her last summer and enjoyed her style, techniques and total attitude.<br />
This time we made a two-foot by two-foot canvas which I will show in my next post. Great fun in a 4.5 hour class. But, did I ever get messy! Found a miracle product for ink and paint on the hands though, the Craft Scrubbie, by Inksentials. I have no idea how, with only a little soap and water, it gets all that staining stuff off, like black liquid ink all around my cuticles. But, it did. Needless to say, I bought one of the little $5 buggers.<br />
Also, Dyan's brand-new <a href="http://shop.afth.co.uk/ranger-dylusions-by-dyan-reaveley-376-c.asp">Dylusions</a> rubber stamps, stencils, ink mists and more, just announced Jan. 24, were available at <a href="http://queensink.blogspot.com/2012/01/dyan-reaveley-returns.html">The Queen's Ink</a> and a few supplies found their way into my shopping basket. Over concern for the popularity of the new supplies which were in limited quantity this weekend, shop owner <a href="http://queensink.blogspot.com/">Patti Euler</a> made auction-style "bidding paddles" with numbers, which we could flip up and wave whenever we saw a product demonstrated that we "had" to have.<br />
Dyan's Zetti-like style as shown here is so exciting, lively, fun, inspiring. Looking at it displayed around the classroom was very much like working in a candy shop!Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-6907256606309673012012-01-29T11:54:00.001-05:002012-01-29T11:59:49.378-05:00Doodling Traci Bautista Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEcwTl9KXfEQPbhQntleJ3m7vKQmiTbH-v9mY-5eAyTqckVtivYiwoFWj8AZYILUBtbxIfeWuBgsq8olDoSRNRUapystkAh2KYJAKNohW14J-Ggqc0pnnRZO4qnGNrYNL4lyZr1Jszsl2/s1600/traci2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEcwTl9KXfEQPbhQntleJ3m7vKQmiTbH-v9mY-5eAyTqckVtivYiwoFWj8AZYILUBtbxIfeWuBgsq8olDoSRNRUapystkAh2KYJAKNohW14J-Ggqc0pnnRZO4qnGNrYNL4lyZr1Jszsl2/s320/traci2.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>I just received a copy of Traci Bautista's second book <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Doodles-Unleashed-Mixed-Media-Techniques-Mark-Making/dp/1440310890/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327855655&sr=1-1">Doodles Unleashed</a></strong>, and immediately tried to unleash a doodle in my sketchbook. It's patterned after one of her girly doodles, page 99 to be exact. I love her style, and I loved her first book, <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collage-Unleashed-Traci-Bautista/dp/1581808453/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327855655&sr=1-3">Creativity Unleashed</a></strong>, which she autographed for me at CHA in 2008. I later had the chance to take a class from her at Art & Soul, and that was wonderful also. You can find out much more about treiC designs all over the web. <br />
<a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-explain-zettiology-dont.html">Here's</a> some earlier art I made from Traci's collage sheets, and <a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2008/10/by-sea-treasures-from-art-soul.html">here's</a> some of my doodles from her class.<br />
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I used simple and cheap markers from Office Depot for my doodles, but I am excited that I have a little batch of Copic markers coming from Ebay. Soon I will know why everyone raves about those markers. And honestly, I've had a couple before but they were very similar colors, so it was hard to appreciate the Copic range. And I've never used a blender with them. So it will be fun, and if I don't have the knack, I can always take a Copic class at The Queen's Ink in Savage Mill, where they are taught regularly.<br />
Meanwhile, back to doodling...Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-47545885598707109792012-01-26T17:08:00.000-05:002012-01-26T17:08:06.611-05:00Finally made something!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrisan48LCP9ELIxFy0REg7LBFk68qOuB3VG5SCIe9zkZ4kY6izLj2bAy-6eEDoUgiwnNxItRg2G-u0lokukKovbNl5EKsmQjsojSx6hqBCY4CjR1DRR3KgK-TPZmu2pRHwu3qbwrfJ9M/s1600/hippo+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrisan48LCP9ELIxFy0REg7LBFk68qOuB3VG5SCIe9zkZ4kY6izLj2bAy-6eEDoUgiwnNxItRg2G-u0lokukKovbNl5EKsmQjsojSx6hqBCY4CjR1DRR3KgK-TPZmu2pRHwu3qbwrfJ9M/s320/hippo+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq614jkgeyVr6pkPaQDSqYycJWWXmPk4ltqDdYYbgzI4l2Xcl44m-ykqLQjeWo3Lno_eWoNY1L9SVYxYOZHICbaLD-jNPh6awd0QV2SGB_QNyIVtarc01HLQVxm-v8Gf3z88OtKUstfBC/s1600/hippo+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq614jkgeyVr6pkPaQDSqYycJWWXmPk4ltqDdYYbgzI4l2Xcl44m-ykqLQjeWo3Lno_eWoNY1L9SVYxYOZHICbaLD-jNPh6awd0QV2SGB_QNyIVtarc01HLQVxm-v8Gf3z88OtKUstfBC/s320/hippo+007.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Winter ought to be the best time to "make stuff," but I've been so busy with work and work travel as well as finishing up and trying to market "the novel" or "the" novel (see my writing <a href="http://huntingandpecking.blogspot.com/">blog</a>), that I've barely had a chance to breathe. Add to that a re-commitment to the important of gym time, and an appreciation for good sleep, and there's just not enough time for FUN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But with my dear friend Sarah about to have her first girly, after boys <a href="http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com/2008/05/ike-and-hat-show.html">Ike</a> and Max, I was inspired to crochet up a hippo from "Cute Little Animals" by Amy Gaines and to embroider a little skully onesie. It has a black ruffle on the rear, too. Sent them off and just waiting to hear about the new little one's name and arrival.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In an effort to decide what to do art-wise and to help make it a priority, I decided a trip to Michael's was in order (as well as an order from Dick Blick and bunches of markers from Staples). It was clear by the looks of my cart that an art identity crisis (AIC) was in progress. I piled in yarn, crochet hooks, embroidery and tapestry needles, paint brushes, watercolors and acrylics, sketch pads, ribbon, canvasses, beads, pattern books and magazines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now if I were just an octopus so I could do it all at once -- and save one or two tentacles for cooking, reading and cleaning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An <a href="http://www.queensink.com/Classes/abstractcanvas.html">art class</a> at <a href="http://www.queensink.com/">The Queen's Ink</a> in Savage Mill on Super Bowl Sunday morning with the talented Britisher <a href="http://dyan-reaveley.blogspot.com/">Dyan Revealey</a> will be sure to get me more than just enthused. By the end of it, and well before the Giants and Patriots kick off, I will have completed a 24" x 24" wall canvas! Very exciting. Will be sure to show off here.</div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-51508318139433699822011-12-05T14:44:00.002-05:002011-12-05T14:44:46.605-05:00A cheery spot is a good thing on snowy days!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjAmzpmzJEeBqLX5ZTasWIRP0jOqf-T8SkmFFZM3wtk88dj-gi-GC_J59cj00AW9Qp02FOKxkXhAhWjiQsd7NdXKpNizK2RTFWJFkoqWWOpoz_c-s-vW5cVdInSOdfaIRlA3QqZCW8_gE/s1600/snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="286px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjAmzpmzJEeBqLX5ZTasWIRP0jOqf-T8SkmFFZM3wtk88dj-gi-GC_J59cj00AW9Qp02FOKxkXhAhWjiQsd7NdXKpNizK2RTFWJFkoqWWOpoz_c-s-vW5cVdInSOdfaIRlA3QqZCW8_gE/s320/snow2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCR8Drot8ZSNeKNmBRLsPC-IHIufjjqHiWNwQm1OD7kyfdx0X4pl6S82WN_bnplQFxvlgQvUw3wyEo_wWZqkobO9QUILPD2PmMVWBM-0ok_tDut4oOXWjq5EEkUjmn8lB32rjxjjaH7WI/s1600/monday+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCR8Drot8ZSNeKNmBRLsPC-IHIufjjqHiWNwQm1OD7kyfdx0X4pl6S82WN_bnplQFxvlgQvUw3wyEo_wWZqkobO9QUILPD2PmMVWBM-0ok_tDut4oOXWjq5EEkUjmn8lB32rjxjjaH7WI/s320/monday+042.jpg" width="229px" /></a></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-40533423620956299262011-11-23T07:50:00.003-05:002011-11-23T08:36:54.964-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyozOEFIzROXlS5lIaZ-pn8mcjEtLB9tzeodqA1n8qVdA2s164XXgJd3Q6QvorEtel-GuMEOX8Tn2-ILQfXzJkbKkGaObQja2t0kKSeFTqM1jiH3Qh3IMNKsXj8oHsuHPI3gS6rvVaPEj/s1600/thanksgiving+peeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="252px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyozOEFIzROXlS5lIaZ-pn8mcjEtLB9tzeodqA1n8qVdA2s164XXgJd3Q6QvorEtel-GuMEOX8Tn2-ILQfXzJkbKkGaObQja2t0kKSeFTqM1jiH3Qh3IMNKsXj8oHsuHPI3gS6rvVaPEj/s320/thanksgiving+peeps.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm dreaming of some pumpkin pie,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">wishing on a star-blue sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wish I may, wish that I might</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">not count any more calories tonight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On gravy, on pudding, on jelly and jam:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">slather my turkey and spiral sliced ham.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh green beans, cabbage and pretty yams,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">skip my hips and pass my gams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fluffy rolls, brown rolls, yeast and more,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">will I ever again fit through the door?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jello salad, pea salad, pickles and cheese,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">pass the relish tray and the margarine please!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes, who gives a rip?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm on a delirious, delicious carbohydrate trip,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and when I'm done, <em>maybe</em> I'll run a lap....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">after my L-tryptophan-induced, heavenly nap!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Thanksgiving, all you gobblers!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-78544142400341867512011-10-31T06:26:00.001-04:002011-10-31T06:26:26.388-04:00Happy Halloween!<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillysoflondonish/3876444800/" title="Untitled"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3876444800_780e90b0af.jpg" alt="Untitled by Gina2424" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillysoflondonish/3876444800/">Untitled</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillysoflondonish/">Gina2424</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p></p>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-75080552564679559852011-10-10T20:50:00.000-04:002011-10-10T20:50:44.115-04:00My inspirational & motivational work spaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL_SdKJ7fx8i9sOtMN6OA-rjQGvn5MwGSeqfnYop5bBNp2ct3wl6m6f-qBvmdvD-9zkm-O05a2Wc13__Wl9jShQt7IYp3rxJCM96deaoliXU2YtciK_uFr9PeRYA84QqRkF_KhhDATC4D/s1600/pink+room1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL_SdKJ7fx8i9sOtMN6OA-rjQGvn5MwGSeqfnYop5bBNp2ct3wl6m6f-qBvmdvD-9zkm-O05a2Wc13__Wl9jShQt7IYp3rxJCM96deaoliXU2YtciK_uFr9PeRYA84QqRkF_KhhDATC4D/s320/pink+room1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGwGdeYdMUAu-CBQjUkaDSvi3x5Qc-w-TiDdsu4s-WJPO6MbEEGYbYlUEMAGhkSQGNKmVGiC95ZFotNd1FeNrOYin4A0B6uc-aZ_JG82yvZrY-t9_rwAkpuKkOTRlY8uBcCc5dwSE4y6n/s1600/room+box+stuff+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGwGdeYdMUAu-CBQjUkaDSvi3x5Qc-w-TiDdsu4s-WJPO6MbEEGYbYlUEMAGhkSQGNKmVGiC95ZFotNd1FeNrOYin4A0B6uc-aZ_JG82yvZrY-t9_rwAkpuKkOTRlY8uBcCc5dwSE4y6n/s320/room+box+stuff+044.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N4ptN_alb3qAKLNpKwMMTXlaliLPQIpdcJuJvFK90U2CqCL3sh53iTIEnH5DEDZjuCf4jpbB59MwBCpGVCwzZgSdl8WFhvtBw_Y8nMmI6Zt1OHjcFCC3uaE9ca159jFXPdtOio_dyVGQ/s1600/room+box+stuff+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N4ptN_alb3qAKLNpKwMMTXlaliLPQIpdcJuJvFK90U2CqCL3sh53iTIEnH5DEDZjuCf4jpbB59MwBCpGVCwzZgSdl8WFhvtBw_Y8nMmI6Zt1OHjcFCC3uaE9ca159jFXPdtOio_dyVGQ/s320/room+box+stuff+074.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-89155055560365861452011-10-08T13:03:00.000-04:002011-10-08T13:03:20.825-04:00Thank you, Indian Summer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z3_EOfc5kgWhK47uUND_XJIlyzBe53skXlJlrcbL7Bn-fwtgfuD1FOXXxAqLrw-U4X04BPMUCrkq_xbRGjVMjXPMHkja1pY_ebHAO__UEQ8da36SpLHVM01mRYEfR1MAtbD5EayAt0jT/s1600/October+flowers+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z3_EOfc5kgWhK47uUND_XJIlyzBe53skXlJlrcbL7Bn-fwtgfuD1FOXXxAqLrw-U4X04BPMUCrkq_xbRGjVMjXPMHkja1pY_ebHAO__UEQ8da36SpLHVM01mRYEfR1MAtbD5EayAt0jT/s320/October+flowers+013.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>My morning glory vine and my petunias and geraniums and my SOUL are all thankful for the gorgeous 80F degrees and warmer the last several days here in northern Indiana. Warm and sunny is the forecast for the next several days also. It's sooooo pleasant!Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-45913218387000520202011-09-03T23:02:00.001-04:002011-09-03T23:04:17.481-04:00Congrats to my dear friend Jenny and her family. Welcome Lewis Alan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoedjEOQjd4ezPdyiB1J2AEsB5tLHBuk9k0wMXoj2Eq_CScYCIGAk6rLmX2splf8Jfd5VI2TE_E1_SdxAUkB-YesyHmqZEU5ElQEFxdmZNB0nG5JPbxwFFgHl9Pbd8FypwiYy6Y0tvOYJ6/s1600/Lewis+Alan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoedjEOQjd4ezPdyiB1J2AEsB5tLHBuk9k0wMXoj2Eq_CScYCIGAk6rLmX2splf8Jfd5VI2TE_E1_SdxAUkB-YesyHmqZEU5ElQEFxdmZNB0nG5JPbxwFFgHl9Pbd8FypwiYy6Y0tvOYJ6/s320/Lewis+Alan.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div>Lewis Alan Fretz arrived August 31 at 9:11 p.m. in Pennsylvania to <a href="http://fretzfam.blogspot.com/">Jen Fretz</a> and husband Andy and big sis Gwen. He weighed 9 lbs., 15 oz (beating out my Alex by 11 oz!) and was 21.5 inches long. She says he's the cutest kid ever, and it sure looks like it!<br />
I'm supposed to be embroidering three onesies with 'boy stuff.' Looks like I'd better get that finished up. So happy for Jenny and her family. Check out her <a href="http://fretzfam.blogspot.com/">Child of Hope</a> blog. Jen and I used to have big fun staying up until all hours scrapbooking and papercrafting when we weren't up to shenanigans at Bath & Body Works.<br />
Jen spent some growing up years in Leesburg, where her dad was a pastor. And now Jen has a little boy (and girl) of her own. Congrats!Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-63589194633249978802011-07-24T12:28:00.000-04:002011-07-24T12:28:55.713-04:00Finally! Took some art classes again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIO0NtyVvZHaBvTyJsMWQKle6XTVwNurOGJ_hlIOcv4aI87WKwImJU0HN8ntN0Jt8Pa6f0lQ5_d7lpKMSUXUfFoNbJLcZImLZmFcbDPUHRM0HKBceAXJU3Dzae7afzrNalENX_zMs_AcT/s1600/art+class+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIO0NtyVvZHaBvTyJsMWQKle6XTVwNurOGJ_hlIOcv4aI87WKwImJU0HN8ntN0Jt8Pa6f0lQ5_d7lpKMSUXUfFoNbJLcZImLZmFcbDPUHRM0HKBceAXJU3Dzae7afzrNalENX_zMs_AcT/s320/art+class+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLzgyF3CTF7BaPfUSuaa_51vuqkXdYlNSPoYfrgbwBDnohYqx0EDw_VU9egSPG0AklVwhuBhSxRIEPnHBPtW6XIWhklXF206FpXB7QfN0HvyzXsNjKfU38LBsB5IOV6sPD0psXPO8HvAa/s1600/art+class+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLzgyF3CTF7BaPfUSuaa_51vuqkXdYlNSPoYfrgbwBDnohYqx0EDw_VU9egSPG0AklVwhuBhSxRIEPnHBPtW6XIWhklXF206FpXB7QfN0HvyzXsNjKfU38LBsB5IOV6sPD0psXPO8HvAa/s320/art+class+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kJHQSzURTJNUEPlugxodi0IQ2G6udaV4UsjBoXaD6L7Xwe-cIbY-nfBnEVt2yNjcFZUxiET9ksYAQaswN8b45V0RGnDfYnyVPsQGwNZw1u-ibbnVktIYtF7UCF9O-WHCSoVM08rkyFzb/s1600/art+class+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kJHQSzURTJNUEPlugxodi0IQ2G6udaV4UsjBoXaD6L7Xwe-cIbY-nfBnEVt2yNjcFZUxiET9ksYAQaswN8b45V0RGnDfYnyVPsQGwNZw1u-ibbnVktIYtF7UCF9O-WHCSoVM08rkyFzb/s320/art+class+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuZhDb5GyVwTnQ8BK_6dWDULcZMGWICFx2BqaUdJNxPdP-H73LfeY0x9fIBBT5lYFdFXXcOauvgybBYcSrC3L7E8C_IYRlcnyn5TJVH7BT6UIgfyB2MaW1gxGsaCTVQnAg6D_PtVr0X9w/s1600/art+class+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuZhDb5GyVwTnQ8BK_6dWDULcZMGWICFx2BqaUdJNxPdP-H73LfeY0x9fIBBT5lYFdFXXcOauvgybBYcSrC3L7E8C_IYRlcnyn5TJVH7BT6UIgfyB2MaW1gxGsaCTVQnAg6D_PtVr0X9w/s320/art+class+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After a too-long-to-measure hiatus, I finally signed up for a couple art classes at The Queen's Ink in Savage Mill, and boy, am I glad I did! The special guest instructor was <a href="http://dyan-reaveley.blogspot.com/">Dyan Reaveley</a>, international and European educator with Ranger products. What a treat! Dyan is a well-known and admired artist, teacher and shopkeeper from the U.K. Just listening to her accent and euphemisms all day was jolly good fun! Cannot get the technique "shimmy butt roll" out of my head. Thanks so much.<br />
The <a href="http://www.queensink.com/Classes/dyan-canvas.html">first class</a> was a darling 6 x 6 chunky canvas (her examples shown above) which we painted and embellished with such products as acrylic paint daubers, Perfect Pearls, Perfect Pearls glimmer mists, Color Wash sprays, Tim Holtz's die cuts, Dyan's darling, hot new rubber stamps and many new techniques.<br />
<a href="http://www.queensink.com/">The Queen's Ink</a> in Savage, MD in the rehab'd Savage Mill hosted the event. It's an outstanding place for classes, and owner <a href="http://queensink.blogspot.com/">Patti Euler</a> is a blast. The store is stocked to the rafters with needful supplies and goodies. It's hard not to come home with one of everything.<br />
I met some lovely new art friends, including Donna Walsh of Words Have Wings on Etsy. We commiserated at the same table for seven hours and tried to avoid spraying each other with Glimmer Mists!<br />
Waiting for some finishing touches to dry on my own canvas, and then I'll post pics.<br />
My <a href="http://www.queensink.com/Classes/dyan-accordion.html">next class</a> was an accordian fold book, and Dyan's samples are pictured here. We used a lot of the same products on watercolor paper, and added a bookbinding technique, as well as stencil use and more fun rubber stamps. Didn't get quite finished, so working on it today, and will post pics soon.<br />
The classes were good-sized at 20, and you can see some classroom shots above. That's Her Majesty Dyan at the paper cutter. I also got some great treasures in the shop, including a fun, new journaling system called SMASH. Hope to start that today, too, and will post pics soonish. Cheerio and Shimmy Butt Roll and all that.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-77783066483145024122011-07-19T13:08:00.000-04:002011-07-19T13:08:22.297-04:00More painting with thread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb4iZSrR-oWgaywf4y2xB6WfsMEfcoazfFpIHHVKHHSuXIaocEVK65oE7mDkkUY0eiw1BgwPejoB4l3h4O6272sfmeJCEmkY5YsBSiqye2zmYyarAHutCvLcasypOMFVONvOmlYIGhG2p/s1600/H+dress+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwb4iZSrR-oWgaywf4y2xB6WfsMEfcoazfFpIHHVKHHSuXIaocEVK65oE7mDkkUY0eiw1BgwPejoB4l3h4O6272sfmeJCEmkY5YsBSiqye2zmYyarAHutCvLcasypOMFVONvOmlYIGhG2p/s320/H+dress+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVcY28KIksNBC6D_AsbSQgjr92qfCJ_188GmSSAvKbk8HJjZAUewRAhyQspKkPzJXcdQ5_u9JYBQ01HgoG-oajDDXeR1L_HKASa46RCAYt76NwrAqPp79vXg7cCohhwmQNg5IDe3_jf_-/s1600/H+dress+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVcY28KIksNBC6D_AsbSQgjr92qfCJ_188GmSSAvKbk8HJjZAUewRAhyQspKkPzJXcdQ5_u9JYBQ01HgoG-oajDDXeR1L_HKASa46RCAYt76NwrAqPp79vXg7cCohhwmQNg5IDe3_jf_-/s320/H+dress+005.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>Got my Happy Day sampler back from framing at Jo-Ann Fabrics. I chose a wooden frame in hot pink. Love it! While waiting for that, I started and finished this Halloween dress for Blythe. I started with a purchased base dress, that had already been dyed from white to orange. I added the ghostly trio, as well as a spider and web, waist and hem trim.<br />
Wow! I just noticed that my previous post was my 500th post! Can't believe I missed that. Maybe I'll remember to celebrate my four year blog anniversary this August 2. Time flies when chatting with friends.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-24252137808922019252011-07-13T14:28:00.000-04:002011-07-13T14:28:28.826-04:00My recent faves- I love me some color!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRYs2whT4T7apZan7JTduGwIdxbzJ09GFZirUdgOIr6AGqQKfz8ybi_hxMg5tlk0gESjxKNiV8RC_g8GGNOXzMWUvRIaIzFFByhEqOYC2LDql1o7R5p75eZUntpkp88Efpu28U5pzgANH/s1600/my+recent+faves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRYs2whT4T7apZan7JTduGwIdxbzJ09GFZirUdgOIr6AGqQKfz8ybi_hxMg5tlk0gESjxKNiV8RC_g8GGNOXzMWUvRIaIzFFByhEqOYC2LDql1o7R5p75eZUntpkp88Efpu28U5pzgANH/s320/my+recent+faves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>See <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillysoflondonish/5933542023/in/set-72157603261025239">my Flickr</a> for a link to all the wonderful photos and photographers in this mosaic.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-55206623305664168172011-07-09T12:49:00.000-04:002011-07-09T12:49:18.059-04:00Happy Day sampler done!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXUCgv2wgbrzZ24vCYA8S_U1HyDrBdPeWIHShXcmXnEAbtvaTcFKru9hAsQqEUIWVDF46nHV3fE995lMLfvUM0_fYY_cB2Y0S_ZnmhZOGjuW34sNWWnHYNzyeT2lYA2eWLpQn2CYmawZd/s1600/happy+day+done+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXUCgv2wgbrzZ24vCYA8S_U1HyDrBdPeWIHShXcmXnEAbtvaTcFKru9hAsQqEUIWVDF46nHV3fE995lMLfvUM0_fYY_cB2Y0S_ZnmhZOGjuW34sNWWnHYNzyeT2lYA2eWLpQn2CYmawZd/s320/happy+day+done+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This was the most fun ever! I hated to see it end. Pattern from <a href="http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/">Pam Garrison</a>. Choice of type of stitches and colors up to the stitcher. So I went bright (I guess you can tell).<br />
Stitches I used: straight, back, chain, stem, satin, French knot, star, seed, bullion (first time), daisy, couched. Variegated floss used for the letters, leaves, border and some flowers.<br />
Inspired to stitch by dear <a href="http://thecanaryscupcake.blogspot.com/">Bryanna Lenan</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/littledear?ref=seller_info">Little Dear/Merwing</a> and <a href="http://roxiecreations.blogspot.com/">Roxie Creations</a>.<br />
Can't wait to frame this or make a pillow with it. It really makes me smile.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-81808816515967314902011-07-06T21:12:00.002-04:002011-07-06T21:12:41.848-04:00WIP: Happy Day embroidery sampler designed by Pam Garrison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHiCkqAJeEqvAvNi9g6gsvv8LmlcMp6vNjbHOpUdNLDgZUPzzDSOM6XXTJFoy0fHeStX46rTd9GwsxeM946h5u2KGURlNvOITRCiKPGYYy95OTFRXXB3H03xtam7cBD16AFPvT0F6keEY/s1600/Happy+Day+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHiCkqAJeEqvAvNi9g6gsvv8LmlcMp6vNjbHOpUdNLDgZUPzzDSOM6XXTJFoy0fHeStX46rTd9GwsxeM946h5u2KGURlNvOITRCiKPGYYy95OTFRXXB3H03xtam7cBD16AFPvT0F6keEY/s320/Happy+Day+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-12901057246319523532011-07-04T10:15:00.000-04:002011-07-04T10:15:14.607-04:00Art Making in Two of My Favorite Mediums<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjHOfQ1X6MsFdngcbevNFSJsFnWpuEucuaMVnzowUSacBmjAI7nnz4xt-RSNGQYeRC7zuFNTYlayXVDrnOErQwR2N-q9dNYP2Z7LtxRVJ4G8wPiZnqc5FXihg34_qDyVQa5ahPS67qrOW/s1600/July+4+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjHOfQ1X6MsFdngcbevNFSJsFnWpuEucuaMVnzowUSacBmjAI7nnz4xt-RSNGQYeRC7zuFNTYlayXVDrnOErQwR2N-q9dNYP2Z7LtxRVJ4G8wPiZnqc5FXihg34_qDyVQa5ahPS67qrOW/s320/July+4+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2svgG7Ij4DNeH2uVVV-jNZPsPrdtMdFCWMUB6oDFU0pfQnIvLKrbwmIeJ2mf4N5pmurM3T1GvuDpKcK0qecip7-VK-f2vcFjGAV1diy1PnsQ0EWIL1L_Km76dkQfUvhQlXdBQQSy_hG61/s1600/July+4+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2svgG7Ij4DNeH2uVVV-jNZPsPrdtMdFCWMUB6oDFU0pfQnIvLKrbwmIeJ2mf4N5pmurM3T1GvuDpKcK0qecip7-VK-f2vcFjGAV1diy1PnsQ0EWIL1L_Km76dkQfUvhQlXdBQQSy_hG61/s320/July+4+023.JPG" width="318" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayw1thHZResXnJv9TY44ru7iCqkf98lioBhlqXwh-8xxRgmXnW15nRuM55F_2p-wHIAb2DM4QeLHuM1yXbAlO3bqfpYV1JyH1UAcPJyRanP7XFfbgFzAC0PiS7MNhyphenhyphenoZGGpppyPdyltNg/s1600/July+4+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayw1thHZResXnJv9TY44ru7iCqkf98lioBhlqXwh-8xxRgmXnW15nRuM55F_2p-wHIAb2DM4QeLHuM1yXbAlO3bqfpYV1JyH1UAcPJyRanP7XFfbgFzAC0PiS7MNhyphenhyphenoZGGpppyPdyltNg/s320/July+4+009.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-1282747049467702402011-07-02T15:45:00.000-04:002011-07-02T15:45:25.908-04:00Work-in-Progress Weekend: Happy 4th of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzD5PmaISjXXwzfRB1UYjZkUUqLXyprHk77ziWpS6r1U3rMxVmBrMW_wLSDevcEZ0k8y90gwDMB1HZlYyEoPwtHjhzjRce8_HBHtSaME50N1i13rbOg5b6_D9mFno3STHQYYhSlyZEVuN/s1600/4th+11+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzD5PmaISjXXwzfRB1UYjZkUUqLXyprHk77ziWpS6r1U3rMxVmBrMW_wLSDevcEZ0k8y90gwDMB1HZlYyEoPwtHjhzjRce8_HBHtSaME50N1i13rbOg5b6_D9mFno3STHQYYhSlyZEVuN/s320/4th+11+007.JPG" width="271" /></a></div>Will this two-year-old WIP get any attention this weekend? We shall see. It's a 4" x 4" canvas I painted with acrylics and stenciled myself. So far, so good. Stymied since 2009.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-12575365136850912472011-06-30T21:43:00.002-04:002011-06-30T21:43:29.245-04:00More Embroidery - Miniature Version<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1wl0WyDYm-gkBejXlRaCUArFYgs0WY2TOrvXezi6oKT7up_WQrGc3CMVzQkNv8MFEaGuDv0VexJ6WY7eT-FQ3vPDguNfU7CUlMRsfvUe1Bt_vILXdoy89o7CJerJLkm5v4_OIdgTsy5m/s1600/fashions+th+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1wl0WyDYm-gkBejXlRaCUArFYgs0WY2TOrvXezi6oKT7up_WQrGc3CMVzQkNv8MFEaGuDv0VexJ6WY7eT-FQ3vPDguNfU7CUlMRsfvUe1Bt_vILXdoy89o7CJerJLkm5v4_OIdgTsy5m/s320/fashions+th+019.JPG" width="137" /></a></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-46844061245922895302011-06-28T18:46:00.000-04:002011-06-28T18:46:29.137-04:00Cross-Stitch Art<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv3VfSdsjc7p-AWfJ_1pWDEqots2Fkt7JfTGy6RANU3fpQgrTbaWfafbuw_RVaSnj_uTwdQXOUvKBU_01IYVsGNFdHaxwMGZwTORj960Mm5J0u_eZdAuBmGsmDU0cu7IC4epR8py5WdQA/s1600/stitch+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv3VfSdsjc7p-AWfJ_1pWDEqots2Fkt7JfTGy6RANU3fpQgrTbaWfafbuw_RVaSnj_uTwdQXOUvKBU_01IYVsGNFdHaxwMGZwTORj960Mm5J0u_eZdAuBmGsmDU0cu7IC4epR8py5WdQA/s320/stitch+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems all my painting is being done with fiber these days--from crochet to embroidery to an old, old favorite, cross-stitch. I just finished this little sampler above a couple weeks ago (and in fact, the pattern is for sale in my<a href="http://www.hpsgsmith.etsy.com/"> Etsy</a>). Just picked it up from being framed at <a href="http://www.the-stitching-post.com/">The Stitching Post</a>. Getting ready to hang it. My work is rough; I can see it. After not doing this for probably 20 years, I was shocked at how much harder it is to see those little patterns. But, I have another piece started, as well as an embroidery sampler. Needlework is just so much easier to transport when traveling. There's no mess to clean up, and the rhythmic stitching is soothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8725912392869042810.post-8183447187737762802011-06-25T20:01:00.000-04:002011-06-25T20:01:33.547-04:00Crochet Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLbAL-YkUAmJ9ZEDWFxsq7ToQSHO_8oiuTY96cLgHfn0suxNcQl9DLPXX4FsoZJip4sbFYzzZB5AXUSu0r3u7NgWs8z90-g47mHFVZiFm1sDbY__juWKl4AJBueg_T5zIP6WwPyP8y8jm/s1600/Post+Blythecon+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLbAL-YkUAmJ9ZEDWFxsq7ToQSHO_8oiuTY96cLgHfn0suxNcQl9DLPXX4FsoZJip4sbFYzzZB5AXUSu0r3u7NgWs8z90-g47mHFVZiFm1sDbY__juWKl4AJBueg_T5zIP6WwPyP8y8jm/s320/Post+Blythecon+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXKctISte3tOYLBmRFyTOPSagpitYNIMAJ43yZ_OefHZI4_77BHPUL2ehgnXtTscN5tNB_Ne8QGeGGfYEqLdy_tu8Uqdji_IhBMeUqd_4Op7OSTPsqn2bgV8an0Xn4KEeqR7TE9Bb4zNM/s1600/Post+Blythecon+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXKctISte3tOYLBmRFyTOPSagpitYNIMAJ43yZ_OefHZI4_77BHPUL2ehgnXtTscN5tNB_Ne8QGeGGfYEqLdy_tu8Uqdji_IhBMeUqd_4Op7OSTPsqn2bgV8an0Xn4KEeqR7TE9Bb4zNM/s320/Post+Blythecon+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've been traveling a lot lately - TN, IN, OR, MD, CT - so it's not exactly conducive to having the canvasses, easels, paints, brushes and water sitting about for inspiration to strike. But my yarn, crochet hook and little scissors passed all the airplane inspections, and so I made some tiny Blythe clothes on my travels.<br />
The sweater pattern is from <strong>Crochet Today!</strong> magazine, Jan-Feb 2010 and is an update on a 1960s knitting and crochet flier for fashion dolls. The hat pattern is from my friend Zoe Aarden's book, <strong>Grrrlie Designs for Blythe</strong>, which I edited (see sidebar on this blog).<br />
Meanwhile, ever appreciative of real crochet talents, I bought this intricate vintage, yet mod, flower doily for $1 at an antiques mall. I knew I wanted to frame it, and so I sprayed it with fabric stiffener and then had it mounted to a bright mat to show off the pattern. Even with a ready-made frame, that $1 doily now has more than $50 invested in it for posterity.Gina M Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153527688211264822noreply@blogger.com1