Here Chick, Chick . . .

For her birthday my DIL wanted baby chicks and a chicken coop . . . well, she received 12 baby chicks and the coop is on its way.  The kids, along with their mom, gave some of the chicks names: McNugget, Hot Wings, Bossy Mahina, Bossy Sarah, Talulah, Golden Nugget, Henrietta,  Millie and my favorite Birdie.  We're hoping they are all girls cause we can't have any Rooster's in our hen house!  Here are some photos I took this morning of a few of them - they are two weeks old and as cute as can be . . .

This is Hot Wings and she is the cutest ! ! !

My niece Amanda, a photographer [click the link to go to her site], came over to our house today to take pictures of Niko & Mahina with the chicks for Easter.  What fun we all had with the chicks running, chirping and pooping all over the place!  She took some wonderful pictures - can't wait to see all of them.  While she was snapping away I took out my handy Canon power shot that is probably 5 or 6 yrs. old and took some random photos along with her, uploaded to my MacBook and did a little retouching and this is what resulted . . .

Right from the barnyard [the great room] to you!  Happy Spring . . .

Felt Inchies

As some of you know, I belong to several art groups - one being In My Vintage Room and my friend  Maura [check out her Feb. 21st blog post] is hosting a new swap this month.  We were to alter either a fabric or a felt inchie!  Well, if you know me you know I have an aversion to thread and needle!  I used to love to sew but over the years I got away from it and it is now a major project to just sew a button on anything.  But I thought why not?  If you're going to get frustrated with sewing you might as well get really frustrated and try sewing something on a square inch.  Here is what I came up with....remember I said I don't sew  . . .

But I have a secret - I had fun doing these - they might not be actual pieces of art, but if I don't say so myself, I think they're darn cute   ;-)

good wishes . . .

And the Winner Is....

One of my favorite artists and blogger is Lori from Elvie Studio.  Recently Lori held a giveaway for a new book in which she is a featured artist.  As I visit Lori's blog often I  left a comment on her blog [as I frequently do] never thinking in a million years I would win.  Was I surprised when I received an email from Lori telling me I was the lucky receipient of a copy of Creative Lettering by Jenny Doh.  It's a techniques & tip book from 16 top lettering artist including another favorite of mine, Martha Lever.

The "fran" tag was hand-lettered by Lori and I wish I had
take a photo of the wrapping. . . simply sweet!!!

On another note, Lori makes the most wonderful watercolor journals.  She has an Etsy shop and sells these great journals from time to time.  I have purchased several as gifts [and, of course, own one as well] and everyone who has received Lori's hand-bound journals loves them.   Visit Lori's Blog and discover this talented artist ... I know you'll love her style as much as I do.

good wishes . . .

Altered Paint Brush

I recently had the opportunity to gather with some friends for an art day.  One of the gals came up with the idea of altering 4" paint brushes [that were purchased at Lowe's] after she was inspired from the Altered Art Project over at Donna Downey's Blog.  Here is what we came up with:

Wishing for Spring . . .

Frida Kahlo was with us!!!

One side of steampunk at its best . . . 

The other side of steampunk at its best . . . 

A beautiful work in progress. . .

Heartfelt memories

Art doll waiting for Spring . . .

Remembering at trip to Paris . . .

If you go over to http://twocraftingsisters.blogspot.com, Maura has photos of the process as it happened . . .  Maura is the creator of the steampunk brush . . . and she is so good at "Steampunk"!

It was a wonderful afternoon sharing artful friendship and a great project - you should try this - the ideas are limitless!   good wishes . . . 

Holiday's Came and Went

Hello Friends,
With the Holidays coming quickly and leaving even more so, I can't say I know where January went!  I had one of those old-fashioned colds that knocked me off my feet for over a week, and just the aftermath of Christmas, I literally lost January.  Well I'm happy to report I didn't loose February - I think I have a hold on it.

Back in December we all survived the "end of the world", which was scheduled for Dec. 21, 2012....here is what appeared outside my kitchen window that very same day . . .

Obviously, not the end of the world - we're still here!  We survived the last day of the earth and the latest weather system as well.  With Boston, NYC and the Eastern seaboard still being slammed with Nemo ??? - we here in the Capital District of Albany only had a few inches of the white stuff....thankfully, that is.  Although they started closing things down on Thursday night and most of the schools closed before a single flake was visible!  I just don't get it - we have become a bunch of sissies! It wasn't that long ago when 3, 4 or even 5" of snow wasn't even worth mentioning - now it a National Emergency and please do not leave your homes for three days!  And WHEN IN THE WORLD did we start naming snow storms???  I can not believe this is what we have become....maybe we should start thinking of names for Spring Showers....!!!   Thanks for listening to my venting; now on to other things...

One of my pre-holiday projects was altering bottles creating snow-people.  Actually, I along with some friends, try to make this an annual event....sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.  These are the five I made this year - two were for gifts and three were for my collection [a little selfish, I know!]...

This person has been added to my personal collection!

The one with the green beads was a gift -
the little pink one is mine and still not glittered! 

This one is teeny, tiny and is mine -
 also not glittered! 

This silver one was a gift . . .

I had made several of these bottle trees as gifts, too!  I wasn't as selfish with these as I was with the Altered Snow-people.....

Some had green trees and some had creamy, white trees. . .
all were glittery!

Finally on to February - I'll share with you a project I created for a swap being hosted by Doris from In My Vinetage Room . . . the swap was to alter a tin, any tin, with a Valentine theme.  I choose to alter an old Altoid tin I had.  The swap has not been exchanged as of this posting, but I'm sure there will soon be pictures on the In My Vintage Room blog. . . check the above link after Valentine's Day to view everyone's altered tins. . .

The "roses" were made from card stock and the red heart on the bottom of the box was made
 from Celluclay and then painted and antiqued.  I hope the recipient likes it!

I'll take this opportunity to wish you a special Valentine's Day!  Stay warm and be safe....until next time. . . good wishes!!!

Merry Christmas

December sneaked in and swept me off my feet.  I cannot believe Christmas is upon us.  Where did December go?  This has been, as with must of us, a very, busy, busy month.  I did not realize that I haven't posted anything since last month.  I do have a lot to report - let's start with the annual visit from "Prize" - Niko & Mahina's Elf...

Prize arrived on December 1st.....

Then came my 5th annual cookie exchange - 19 bakers each baked 10 dozen cookies to share....it was much fun and everyone went home with many, many cookies!!  I baked these butter cookies!

I helped Niko & Mahina make and paint salt dough ornaments.....they had a ball and their ornaments were adorable.

Mahina's Christmas Pageant - her last one in Pre-K....next year Kindergarten!

She is so angelic!!!

Made some gifts for friends....

Domino Books

Painted cinnamon sticks and snowmen ornaments...

Niko helping Meme with Christmas Cards...

A visit to the Quick Response Christmas light display with my grandchildren and some family...

More visits from Prize [the elf]

Prize in Lily's [Mahina's baby doll] bed.... 

Prize playing with Niko's Army toys..

Prize playing with toothpaste!!!

An award ceremony at Niko's school....he won an award and was so proud & happy!!!

Decorating Gingerbread Houses with Niko's first grade class.....

Niko & his Mom

Niko & his gingerbread house

Niko & his pal Michael

Niko & his pal Luigi 

Niko with his pal Billy [in the middle] and I'm not sure who the cute redhead is!

There were many more activities that went on this past month in preparation for Christmas....shopping, lunch's with friends, shopping, baking, shopping, Elfing the neighbors, visits with friends, a few parties here and there, shopping, on and on we go.  So I end this post with good wishes to all my family and friends for a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy, prosperous new year....

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT....SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!