Simplicity

********

I'm fairly new to this mixed media thing ( self taught too) and my confidence in my abilities often wavers like a flag in the wind. Gee I'm not so bad -Oh my goodness who am I kidding I suck. I know I shouldn't but I can't help compare myself with others and boy this can be tough on the ole ego at times.

I have been hanging on to Cassandra's Marie Altered book for well over 2 months way passed the alloted time. I just couldn't get passed all the amazing work everyone had done, how to I keep up with such stunning creations. I knew I would have to pull out some elaborate over the top stuff to fit in with this crowd, but I'm a simple girl and the more pressure I put on myself the more my heels kept digging in deeper until I was completely sunk.

Now I've really gone and done it I'm frozen and can't move and I'll never get my pages started, stupid confidence come back because I have work to do.

Simplicity, echos in my heart my soul knows the answer it just takes my body and mind a bit to catch up. Time to put away those ideas that I must do as others do just be myself and create what feels right for me.

So simplicity it is and once I allowed this idea to surface things started to flow and this is what I came up with

I found these illustrations in an old English news paper (1880) and as soon as I saw them I knew they would be perfect. I wanted the ladies to stand out so I just added a bit of colour only on them, I used pastels. These are the original images and using them was a bit scary if I messed up with the cutting or colouring to bad so sad there won't be any others so make this good. I usually scan and reprint my old stuff but since I wasn't doing all that fancy painting and what not with my background, and I still wanted the pages to be special. So only the originals would do. I really like how they turned out and I plan on using more of the images from the old papers for future projects.

********************

I managed to get Shelly's Steampunk pages done too, these are the images I showed in my previous post and this is how I finished them up. I've just starting using more of my own photo's in my art I'm teaching myself how to alter my images in photo shop elements still waiting for the big purchase of Photo shop cs4, must save many pennies for that one. I think the more original work I use the better, of course I do love the old antique photo's and I have fun altering them so I consider them my originals too.

I used a photo I took of a old train bridge for this page I think it makes the perfect a Time Machine.

Bob's filling station is a shot of an old building I took while on a excursion with my dear friend Karen Ciderantiques

I still have more steampunk pages to do this time its Sandy's book, I'm in the tinkering stage with my images hope to have them done soon. I'm also working on some journal pages, chunky pages and a larger piece all for group swaps. I'm trying some new products can't wait to see how they turn out. I also found the perfect book for an art journal at a second hand shop the other day. I have been wanting to start one for years I just have been to scared, but I think the time is right, I'm ready.............I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks for stopping by until next time

Hugs Deborah

FINDING MY WAY BACK

****

Thank you all so much for sticking with me as I weed my way through the tangled mess of emotions that seem to tag along with loss. Your comments and emails have been shining rays of light in my dark days. I'm getting back to Normal what ever that means, but every now and then it hits me like a ton of bricks yes mom is gone she is really gone. I guess I will always have those moments but strange as it sounds even in those moments I grow and learn I realize just how strong I am and what is really important thanks Mom even in the after life you are still teaching me.

***************************

I have been pampering myself the last few weeks, taking it easy no pressure to create lolly gaging around doing as I please. Much needed time but boy do things pile up when you allow yourself to just be. I have three altered books that landed on my door step waiting for my attention, ye gads I am so far behind , the round robin police haven't come knocking but I'm sure there is an APP out on me it's time I get back to work.

I spent all day on the computer tinkering with images, I was forced to stick around bound to the house waiting for my new couch to be delivered. You know the famous time frame anywhere between 9:00 am and 6:00pm what better way to serve my sentence, steam punk journal way we go. Oh just in case your curious my delivery guys showed up 6:45 pm yahoo!!! so much for 9:00 to 6:00.

Anywho these are the computer tinkering part of my journal pages now I have to actually go to work and use them somehow. I tore apart an old clock mechanism last night and played around with the gears so things are moving in the right direction. I have a plan............I'll be sure to show ya what I come up when I get things done.

This will be the Time Machine

and like the sign says Bob's air ship filling station.
I still have another steam punk book that needs images I have just the right ones I only need to play with them first. Then on to another Marie Antoinette altered book I'm going to try a new approach with this one.

***************************************
In my time off from projects I did allow myself to play just for me. I rarely do this, most of my creations have a purpose some organized swap or trade but these where just for me. Of course once I was done I didn't hang on to them I offered them up for trade on flickr. The fun part is creating I never keep my own stuff so once I'm done I like to find new homes for what ever I have made.

This is a digital collage I called "The Guardian" I just love how it turned out the angel hand rests on the child's arms while her wing wraps around the mother. The angel is from a photo I took of one of the tomb stones I found while spending the day grave yard wondering with my daughter.



An Atc I made using the Guardian collage

Atc "Quiet Contemplation"

Another Atc "The Reader"


**************************************

These are some photo's I took while out west visiting my Mom. It was a very hard day and I decided to go for a walk on the beach. The beach was deserted so I could spend the few hours by myself reflecting.

I brought Penelope with me on the plane funny how a ratty old bear brings people out of their shell. A had so many people come up to me at the airport and ask to hold her, wanted to know all about her. She really made the trip bearable- no pun intened.......I talked with so many wonderful kind people that day though these encounters where brief the people will remain in my heart for a life time.

Penelope being consumed by the incoming tide, she got wet with this one.

I didn't take many photo's on this trip and it took me awhile to look at them. I have the last two pictures of mom alive on my camera and I wasn't ready to see them.

When I did look I realized all my photos where very simple, shots of strange items. I guess these things caught my attention for some reason. I have altered them of course and will probably use them in my art some way. I will keep the shots of mom to myself I hope you will understand.

of all the rocks and the beach is nothing but them this one jumped out of me for some reason

Simple shell with barnacles given the photo shop treatment

Fallen leaf, Oh Canada.........

Well there you have it a hodge podge of what I have been up to, I finally started to go through some of moms vintage bling I lugged back with me. I needed a whole new suitcase just for the mohair and odd bits of bling. I left the good stuff (diamonds) with Dad and will head out again to help him go through Mom's many collections and bring her diamonds back with me then, she won't rest in peace until I have them on my person.

I have been working on a new line of jewelry, full necklaces with vintage bling (I will be using some of Mom's bits), semi precious stones and of course my soldered pendants hanging from all that glimmers. I'm still in the early stages but stay tuned I will be showing off my pieces as soon as I can.

Thanks again for your kindness

until next time

Hugs Deborah
*******************

In Loving Memory

*******

Judith Marie Kemp

Nov 1, 1945 - Sept 20, 2009

I miss you already

Your Loving Daughter Deborah

Going Home

Well I made the leap, took flight and found my way home. I'm sitting in a house that is not my home but I'm surrounded with things I have known all my life, yet I feel like such a stranger. This is not the Mother I know who is the impostor that has come in the middle of the night and stole the woman I called mom. Where is she, not in this house that is not my home. I arrived in this land of make believe (surly this can't be happening ) three days ago and the reality of why I'm here just hit me like a ton of bricks. Dad and I took Mom to her Doctors appointment the second since I have arrived and well things where laid out pretty clear for us today there is no hiding from the truth now. When they whip out the do not resuscitate forms for your love one to sign and ask the question do you wish to die at home or in the hospital you know there is no turning back the journey into eternal darkness is just around the corner. Mom is taking things well but when your hopped up on so much mind altering drugs everything sounds like an adventure. Dad on the other hand is not so fortunate no drugs to help him cope . And then there is me comfortably numb, dazed and confused and emotionally drained. This is hard oh man is this hard. I'm not ready for this but then who ever is.

Mom and I started to go through her riches today (the woman loves diamonds the real things too not the fake stuff like me) she wants things all in order tidied up, ducks all in line who will get what. I keep telling her there will be plenty of time for this we don't need to do it now but she knows I'm lying telling tall tales she is being to damn realistic about this whole dying thing I wish I had her strength.

I will be heading back to the Land Of Nod in a few days my stay here in the house that is not my home is a short one but one that will remain with me until the end of my time.

Thank you for listening and sorry for the rambling, it has been a tough day and I know the next few are not going to get any easier. I just needed to connect.

Hugs Deborah

Making digital art

*******

I headed up to the town of Kings (Kingston) the other day to spend some time with my daughter, she is starting her third year of collage in a few days so I thought we could hang out before the summer comes to and end. It's about 1 1/2 hours from my door to hers so she is not to far away but far enough her dad and I don't get to see her as much as we would like. Miss the rug rat.......

Anywho we decided to try a new Veggie restaurant and well lets just say we won't be back. The food was good at least I liked it but the service needed some work.

After lunch Kiddo and I found a very cool antique shop I thought it was neato. Kora is not to keen on old stuff but was very patient with her ole mom as I poked away searching for goodies. I found some great treasure will post more about that later.

I'm lucky my daughter has the same weird taste as I do so when I suggested we go to the huge grave yard to look for old tomb stones she didn't freak out and was quite game.

I was very disappointed once we got there the place is massive and they have old stones mixed in with new I like the old parts. We where only able to cover a very small section and I only took 4 pictures but what good shots they were.

Despite the graveyard, lunch let down it was a great day the company made all the difference I love spending time with my daughter she is a fun and wonderful young lady and I treasure every moment we spend together, especially when we don't argue and I let go of playing the one up ya game..........see kiddo I know where I need some work.

So today after playing tourist and taking tons of photo of my own little village, I came home to play in photo shop. I'm teaching my self to alter photo's and create digital art. So with the blue door picture ( a creepy crypt) I took at the graveyard and a shot I took today of and old jail wall in my village and with a background texture from

Playing with Brushes

I came up with these two. Oh I did add other elements too sheet music, paint etc.....this was fun I will be trying my hand at more.

Looks like I have a thing with doors this one is all mine I came up with all my own textures.

**************************

I finished up my pages for Pumpkin's Marie Antoinette altered book yesterday, man o'man this was a toughie my heart was not in it as it should have been but I managed to pull something out of my bag of tricks. Everyone else that came before me did fancy ribbon and lace but I just couldn't muster up the energy for that, I was feeling kinda of depleted and didn't want to experiment. I hope she doesn't mind I went with what I know best paper and more paper. Like the last book this one had someones else's delicate work on the other side and to be honest this scares the heck out of me. I kept having nightmares that I messed up all the other artists work, I actually lost sleep how lame is that. I knew I would have to bite the bullet and just get on with it and I'm happy to report not a drop of paint or glue got on anyone else's work.... Yeah me.

One thing I know for sure I am one very strange gal oh well I am what I am.

Until Next time

Hugs Deborah

Full Steam (punk) Ahead

*****

When Cassandra a wonderful talented artist friend put the call out for people to play along in her Steam Punk altered book( round robin) I just knew I had to jump on board. Even though the Marie Antoinette round robin I signed up for is still in full swing, and taking on another round robin would be stretching myself very thin (hey I can always stand to loose a few inches) I signed on the dotted line anyway.

I absolutely love the steam punk concept and the colour pallet is right up my alley. I'm not sure If my take on the style is spot on but who cares this is my book and this is how I want to play....so there. So far no one has sent the steam punk police after me so I'm thinking my take might not suck after all.

Cassandra's book was the first one to land in the Nod Studio's and these are the pages I created for her.

"Scooter Girl" this wee one doesn't look to thrilled with the getup I have forced her to wear I'm sure that hat must weigh a ton.

"If I Had Wings" Looks like this gal is grounded forced to sit and watch the world fly by.

I found a wonderful lady on flickr "playingwithbrushes" who shares her amazing textures and backgrounds I used one of her images for my window scene. I did add the blimp (airship) and the window image is one of my own altered photo's. This blasted window took me hours to do man am I ever slow.

Here is my altered book I'm not sure which player has it, There are 6 of us in total playing so I imagine this puppy with be stuffed to the rim with amazing goodies when the game comes to an end.

For my cover I used a vintage glass clock cover and antique brass photo album closure thingy to give this a steam punk feel. It was hard to get a good shot of the image under the glass due to the glare, my photo skills are lacking as you can see.

Outside spreed of the book I used a small binder for my base this makes removing the pages easy.

Front inside cover, I forgot to add some info on my instruction sheet, duh that's what I get for not laying everything out before I start my actual creating. No problem that's where tags come in handy this one was just big enough for the additional info and it looks kinda good hanging out of the book.

Sign up page the instructions are on the back.

In side spreed.

Back inside cover- I made Atc's for all the players as a thank you for adding their wonderful art to my book.

Back outside cover. I thought I would try my hand at some black and white doodling to add some punch. Oh boy is this addictive,and time consuming but well worth the effort. I'm not there yet but I'm having fun playing with freehand stuff.

******************************

The Marie Antoinette book is still in play and I found myself frozen in fear when the last book landed on my door step. I had to create on a page that had someone Else's delicate art on the back, yikes and I'm a slob with paint and glue. Oh I pondered and fretted over this for weeks how do I do what I do without ruining the other persons art.

Okay it's time to step out of your comfort zone and do something you haven't tried before. Fabric, lace and ribbon seemed to be the direction the previous artist had taken when doing their pages, being one who does not like to be left out I thought why not I can play with fabric, I have the tecnology..............

Okay maybe not but I managed to come up with something not to bad. How to hide shoddy stitching why add tons of bling, that's right dazzle them with glitter so they can't see just how bad I suck.

I transfered an image onto cotton sewed that on to silk and then added rhinestones, sequents, glass seed beads and silk ribbon glued that on the page and there you have me stepping out of my little paper box.

Page two much easier because I got to start with a fresh page no art work to mess up so back to my paper, paint and glue. I did find the lace and glitter kind of fun so I added some to this page you can't have one page all shiny and not the other.

I have received another Marie book and this one comes with many rules so again I think I'm going to have to step out of what I know best and come up with a another plan. I've been putting this one off way to long it's time to take it out and get to work, I'll keep ya posted.

Until next time

Hugs Deborah

Back in the Studio-altered art charms

******

Before I go into my latests goings on from the studio I would like to send out a big Hug to all of my wonderful blog friends who took the time out of your busy lives to send some kind words my way. It means the world to me to know I am not alone and I will not be alone as I head down that hard path many of you have taken yourselves. Though many of your comments brought me to tears (not a bad thing), you know the kind that stream down your cheeks and have you blowing your nose in huge wads of Kleenex.

I was not expecting such love and compassion when I wrote my post I just needed somewhere to put my mixed up feelings, so I was overwhelmed by the kindness.

Thank you all so much.

HUGS Deborah

******************************************************

With that said on with the studio stuff........

I just treated myself to a new soldering iron, not one of those sketchy kinds you pick up at the hardware store. Not that they don't get the job done, after all thats what I have been using for the past couple of years. But a real iron that stained glass people work with supposedly this thing can solder, walk the dogs and even does the dishes ah but can it make my soldering look good without all the clean up I do..............Not yet.

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about and the big price tag, it works kinda like my old one just has more tips to choose from. The guy who sold it to me said I would see a big difference between the two irons I'm still waiting.... I guess time will tell.

Anywho I played around with it and this is what I came up with, I have to be honest the smaller tips where kind of nice to work with. I didn't have huge clumps of solder to clean up so there we go 1 point for the new iron.

I just listed these in

Land Of Nod Studio's

Don't get me going on how slow Etsy I just might blow a gasket, yee gads what a pain that was.

Wee Gypsy

Deep in Thought
Under the Big Hat

*****************************************************

I just finished up my very first go at hosting a swap with a group of mixed media friends. I have participated in many swaps but was to shy to host my own, what if no one wants to play,my poor ego couldn't take that. Remedy offer up all the supplies, who can resist free stuff I know that would have pulled me in. My dance card filled up quickly and before I knew it I had all 9 spots filled 10 including me and the goodies where flying out the door.

The theme was altered people the tricky part to sell was the cards where mini atc's only 1 1/2 x 2 inches.

Here are my nine little altered people all lined up neat and tidy.

This was the fun part getting everyone else's mini altered people back so I could divvy them up and send them back to the players. I'm over the moon thrilled with how everyone took to this challenge, nothing but top notch work and oh my what a funny group. I giggled until my sides hurt every time a opened a new set of cards, this was way to much fun.

Being my first time hosting I wanted this to be special so as a thank you I made each player a larger version of the mini Land Of Nod atc that I chose for them. From all the positive comments left I think all the players had just as much fun as I did. I hope they didn't just say nice things to make me feel good cause now that I have the hosting bug I might take them up on their call for another swap.

He was always such a snappy dresser- thank you Atc #1

Thank you Atc #2

Kinder Goth- thank you Atc #3
She was such a egghead- thank you Atc #4

Sacred Sisters- thank you atc #5
They called her a freak I only knew her as beauty- thank you card #6
Thank you card #7


She was oh so flirty- thank you Atc #8
Mommy's special boy- thank you Atc #9

I'm still working on a new bear this one is just for me, I have been making bears for apx 15 years and I still don't have a Bearhaven Bear I think it's about time I keep one for myself.

After all your never to big or old for a teddy

Until next time

Hugs Deborah