Landofnodstudio's

Free Photo Friday Girl in Stripes

2012-01-27T03:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday folks, I got a chance to play a bit not a lot of fun time but enough to get a altered folk done. I'm trying to get some more alter people collage sheets done for my shop but that darn thing called life keeps getting in the way, oh well that happens with life. Anywho hope you can find a way to include this gal in some of your projects. Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday 1882 Cassell's lithograph

2012-01-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Folks here are a couple of images from one of my newest finds, 10 issues of Cassell's Illustrated Almanac bound in one book. The book covers the years 1881-1890 each year has a wonderful lithograph cover, great illustrations and tons of old adds. So much to look at in this treasure trove of a book.
Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads

I've been meaning to get a altered folk done for you all but it has been a very stressful week. I had to take my horse Clancy in for emergency surgery after discovering his cornea had separated from the eye or something like that, I'm still not sure what happened. A very late night vet visit and decisions had to be made. 2 options remove the eye or put my boy down, a sleepless night but the morning brought the answer, the eye has to go..........I'm not ready to say goodbye to the old boy yet.

So I now have a one eyed horse I think I'll get him a pirate patch so he looks kick ass. Clancy had to stay at the vets for 4 days and his absence caused quite a bit of stress on Daphene his new horsy friend, but he is now back home and things are starting to feel a bit normal. Over the years I have learned many doctoring up skills. I can now add bandaging a horses head to the list, first attempt didn't go so well I ended up cover up Clancy's one good eye in the process which left Clancy less than amused. Tomorrow I get to remove the bandage for good then in a week the stitches will be removed. Then on to getting used to Clancy's new look, he may look strange to others but he still will be my handsome boy.
Hoping this upcoming week is less exciting maybe I'll get to play with some of my photo's.
until next time take care hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Penmanship 1733

2012-01-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

I just purchased one of the most amazing books. Of all the books I have in my collection this rare 1733 copy of "The Young Clerks Assistant" ("Afsiftant" they spelled things really strange back then) This book has to be my favorite. It doesn't look like much from the out side but inside WOW!!! each page is an example of exquisite fancy hand writing, and the last 13 pages is a how to draw book. Its surprisingly in good shape for its 279 years, a real treasure this one is.

These are just a couple of samples of whats inside. There are over 60 plates of gorgeous writing. I hope you like them as much as I do.
Until next time Take care and have a wonderful day Deborah

Free Photo Friday Jardine's 1840's Sun Birds

2012-01-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope everyone brought the new year in with a bang, me I fell asleep before 10:PM so I never got to see the calendar switch over.

I've got more birds for ya me I just love birds and use them a lot in my work. These gorgeous hand colored guys are from "The Naturalist's Library" by Sir William Jardine, published by

W.H Lizars I believe this edition to be circa 1840's.I acquired two of the many books from this series, wish I had the whole set.

But of course I thought I would share a few here first. Have fun Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday 1851 Bird Prints by Morris

2011-12-30T03:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Folks thought you would enjoy some fine feathered friends to add to your image collection. These wonderful hand colored bird prints came from my latest find two Rev Morris "A History of British Birds" books 1851 and 1852 these, these birds are from the 1851 book.

Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.

I've started to list some of the original 1851 plates in my Etsy Shop but these two are staying with me. My daughter claimed all the owl prints and I nabbed all the crows and ravens. I plan on having them matted and framed I have the perfect wall to put them on. Anywho thought you might like to play with these two. Take care and have a great day until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Men in Hats ~Gem Tintype

2011-12-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

My Gem tintype stash is continually growing I'm always looking for these wee images and I'm thrilled when I find people in hats. There is something about hats that make me smile. These two images are in pretty bad shape I tried my best at restoring these fellas but threw in the towel with the bottom chap he was just to far gone. He still is kind of cute though.
Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.

So hats off have fun with the boys, Until next time take care and have a safe and happy Holiday.
Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday OLIVE Not your average gal

2011-12-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.
While all the other ladies where picking out new white gloves and bonnets Olive was deciding where to put her latestTattooo. Never one to play it safe I decided to step out of the normal and go a little bit to the odd side for this weeks Free photo. Olive is one of the tintype photo's I offered up a few weeks ago with the Land Of Nod altered treatment. I hope you can find a way to use this odd but still pretty gal in you work. Thanks so much for stopping by have yourselves a wonderful Friday until next time take care Deborah

Free Photo Friday Gem Tintype Men

2011-12-08T08:20:00.000-08:00

More gem tintype photo's for ya this time around I went to the manly side, thought I would give you some fellas to play with, oh that sounds bad!!!!!
These guys are a rough bunch not in the best of shape but then what man is..................
Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.
If you like the real deal I have plenty of handsome men (tintypes!!! not actual men I'm a married woman) waiting for you in my Etsy shop

I've listed some new gem tintypes and cabinet cards with some real lookers. I have more to list just been waiting for a bright day to take my photo's. Have fun with these 3 until next time have a wonderful Friday hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday more early Fashions

2011-12-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more fashion plates from various antique books I recently purchased. I've gone into uber shopping mode and have acclimated quite a selection of these wonderful images. The lithograph comes from the book Yester-Year Ten Centuries of Toilette 1892, printed in London.

The hand colored plate top image is from the book The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine 1862 also printed in London. These plates have nice vivid colors and are quite well done.

Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.

This illustration is also from the Yester Year book, the book is filled with images throughout. Once I get my self organized I will start to list some of these stunning plates in my Etsy shop. I still need to catalog and take photo's this is a daunting task due to the volume of images. I'm also starting to pick through my antique photo's and have listed a few, I plan to have many more up for grabs on Etsy. I hope you can find a way to give these ladies a place in your art maybe center stage. Until next time have a wonderful Friday hugs Deborah.

Free Photo Friday Schnick Schnack

2011-11-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hello and happy Friday everyone. I've just been on a book buying spree and nabbed some amazing early children's books with stunning chromolithographs. These came from the Book titled "Schnick Schnack Trifles for the little ones". There is a hand written inscription on the front page that says "For Charlie with aunt Mary's love april 26th 1873. I think the book is even earlier because one of the illustrations has the date 1866.

Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.

There are so many amazing images in this book I plan on parting with a few, I will be listing them soon in my etsy shop. But I have to admit I kind of want to keep a bunch all to myself they are just so beautiful. I think I might look into having a line of cards printed using some of the images. Anywho thought I would share a few here see what everyone else thought of them.
Until next time have a wonderful weekend Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Gem Tintype Ladies

2011-11-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more of the gem tintype photos these images are very small apx 1 x 1/4 inch so its hard to blow them up without making them fuzzy. Instead of scanning I used my camera on the largest size, downside to this method you loose the true colour of the photo but this allows you to inlarge them without loosing the detail. Sorry but blogger is not playing nice yet again!!!! and the last 2 images won't open up any larger.

I have tidied the ladies up removing large scratches and blotches from their faces but I wanted to keep the integrity of the original images so I didn't fuss with them to much. They have tinted rosy cheeks none of which was my doing. If I had of done the colouring I would have made sure it was a bet more even. I'll let you all play with that on your own. Images are free to use in your personal or commercial work, but you may not re-share,distribute ,or claim/infer them to be your own. You may sell your handmade art with LONS images, however images are not to be used in part or whole on/for collage sheets/CD's or any type of Digitaldownloads.

Thanks for stopping by I hope you all have a wonderful weekend until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday ~ 1887 chromo lithograph witch

2011-11-11T04:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Folks. I just nabbed a rare wonderful hard to find book titled "Fancy Dresses Described." Many additions were printed but I got a hold of the elusive 1887 5th addition which is full of amazing chromo lithograph fashion plates depicting fancy costumes. I know Halloween has already gone by but who doesn't like a witch any time of the year. Especially one this remarkable she even has an owl and black cat like every good witch should. Hope you like her, she is so stunning in person the scan does not do her justice.
Until next time take care and have a wonderful day Deborah

Free Photo Friday The Baronets Coat of Arms 1729

2011-11-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

I know these may not be everyones cup of tea but I'm in love with these wonderful etchings. They come from the oldest book in my collection 1729. They are Coat of Arms of the English Baronets, starting with King James 2. There are several pages full of these amazing images.

Don't yo just love how they spelled back then "ENGLIFH"

I'm not sure if anyone will be as excited as I am about these but I thought I would give them a go. You never know someone out there may think they are hunky dory just as I do.

Take care and have a great weekend Until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Fancy Penmanship and a Pretty Girl

2011-10-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

Blogger is being POOPY today UGGGGGGG some days I'm just not impressed with this system. This is the gazillion time I've tried to post this weeks images. I just don't get it one opens large then all of a sudden it won't fiddle around now this one will and that one won't. Make up your mind blogger are ya gonna work or what. So now I'm miffed and I don't want to poison anyone with my negativity so I will make these descriptions short a and sweet. Altered girl is same tintype gal from a few weeks ago.

Fancy writing is from an parchment indenture I purchased a few weeks ago dated 1817, its a lease agreement.

This is just another part of the indenture this thing is huge lots of great calligraphy, I bought 11 of these things so much nice penmanship.
Okay that about covers it I hope Blogger plays nice and works.
Until next time don't let the small things bug ya this is really for me cause I'm still PO so I'm trying to put this hiccup in perspective. Take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday 1837 hand coloured fashion ladies

2011-10-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

I've recently purchased a wonderful little book dated 1837 From England filled with hand coloured fashion plates. The images are so bright and crisp its hard to believe they are 174 years old though the pages have quite a bit of staining and foxing most of the ladies are in great shape. Here are a few ladies wearing the hotest styles from 1828. The book show the latest must have fashions from 1828 -1837.

I plan on selling some of the original plates and keeping a few to create collage sheets but I thought I would share a few here with you folks wet your appetite for these lovely ladies. Wouldn't they look wonderful on gift tags, hmmmm okay now I want to go play. Hope they inspire you to play too. Have a wonderful Friday Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

A New Friend

2011-10-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

Daphne is still camera shy

Thank you everyone for your kind words regarding Slims passing your heartfelt comments have been a great comfort. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful caring folks take the time out to let me know they are thinking of me and my family. The past few days have been tough its hard to go into the barn and not hear that familiar welcoming nicker I'm waiting for it but it never comes. I do however have a new face peeking out from Slim's old stall no nicker yet but I'm sure it will come in time. Clancy has a new friend a little quarter horse named Daphne who has come to stay with us for a while.

Daphne is my neighbors little girl but she has been given permission to come stay with us for the winter to keep Clancy company. Clancy isn't quite sure yet how he feels about this young gal he is still missing Slim but seems to like the idea of not spending the time by himself.

In the Spring Daphne will be placed up for sale though I adore her I do not wish to own another horse. When Clancy runs off to join Slim I'm packing in my saddle and spurs and calling it a day. I promised my boys they would be with me to the end but after they are gone there would be no more, to hard on the old heart strings.

I hope Daphne finds her forever home she is such a sweet horse and I know she will make some little girl very happy but until that day comes she will have a home with us. Now if I could only get Clancy to pay attention to her.

Right now they are together but yet so far apart.

Thank you again for all your support I know Slim was just a horse but for those who loved him he was something much more.

Take care Hugs Deborah

Goodbye Dear Friend

2011-10-17T04:50:00.000-07:00

It has taken me a few days to come to terms with this, I knew it was coming but it is never easy saying goodbye. On Saturday morning Slim galloped off into the here after with his companion Clancy and myself by his side. Slim was not a terribly old fella we guesstimated apx 19 however he was diagnosed about 5 years ago with a severe heart condition. My vet told me one day his heart will just give out and he will not know what hit him. And true to his word Slim never saw it coming he was running and playing with Clancy and dropped in his tracks and never got back up. Clancy never left Slim's side standing over his best friends body until it was time to say goodbye.
Slim was Kora's (my daughters) horse so breaking the news to her that her dear friend
was gone was very difficult for me to do, but I knew she would want to know. She came rushing home (she lives about 1 1/2 hours away) and was able to say goodbye before Slim was removed. A sad day for all

Slim and Clancy have been together for 10 years and where inseparable I got them within days of one another and the bond they formed was nothing short of amazing. If they where out of sight of one another for a second they would start calling out and then panic would set it. So I never separated them, Clancy is taking this loss extremely hard. My dear neighbor has brought over a beautiful gal named Daphene to keep Clancy company for a bit and so far she seems to have lifted his spirits but you can tell Clancy is always watching for Slim to come around the corner.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Clancy I have some hard decisions to make and right now I'm not ready to even think of the next move. My heart is still scattered in tiny pieces and I need some time to put it back together.

Slim was such a funny fella and taught me a lot about myself, he was my daughters first love and a wonderful friend to Clancy he will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. Love you Slimie

Goodbye my dear Friend may you run free with the wind beneath your wings to carry you home.

Free Photo Friday~ Freckles

2011-10-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Folks, this has little lady is my favorite alteration I have done to date. I'm not sure why I like her so much but I do, maybe its that hair so cool. Anywho hope she finds a place in your favorites too.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend Until next time Hugs Deborah

Free photo Friday Gem Tintype Young Lasses

2011-10-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

I purchase wee gem tintype photo's when ever I can, I just love the tiny size. Some I sell in my Etsy Shop

while others I keep for myself like these ones, but I'm willing to share these here with you all digitally.

I scanned these at 600DPI so I could enlarge them, they are so tiny when left as is. I did clean them up a bit but not much I wanted them in their natural state.

I hope you like them as much as I do they are such sweet gals.

I will be listing a bunch of new Gem tintypes in my shop within the next few days so if like the real thing and not the digital version come check out My Etsy Shop

Hope you have a great weekend until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Lovely 1870's Etchings

2011-09-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday folks another week just up and disappeared wow where does the time fly. I decided to get out some of my old "Child's Paper" From the American Tact Society, New York. I I have well over a 100 of these dating back into the 1850's. They are a small news paper for kids two pages in fact but on those 2 pages are some wonderful etchings. I love using these images in my work, here is a sample on how I used the above image.

My altered art peice is not part of my free to use images, Please do not use in any way shape or form.
Only the etchings are free to use

Both these etchings date from a 1876 edition of the paper. They have so many possibilities, they make great iron on transfers. Or you can use them in a collage as I did.

I have so many of these etchings with all my papers and books I don't think I could ever go through them all, but this doesn't stop me from purchasing more. I can't help myself when ever I see a book with etchings I gobble it up knowing full well I have more than enough already. I hope you can find a way to use them makes me fell less guilty if others enjoy them too.

Until Next time take care and have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs Deborah

And The Winner Is.........

2011-09-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

First off I would like to say thank you to everyone who added their name to the Land Of Nod Hat I'm honored and thrilled that so many people came out for the occasion, the numbers took me by surprise. I was only expecting a few people to drop by my giveaway so you all made my day. I wish I had gifts for each and every one of you but my paper stash is limited. However I hope to do this more often maybe not as grand but I think I can handle a wee giveaway each month, but for now I'm sure you have all gathered around the Land Of Nod nest to see which name was pulled from the hat

and the winner is

MARTINA2801

Congratulations Martina!!!!

Thank you again folks I really appreciate you all coming by and sorry your name was not drawn from the hat but you never know maybe next time it will be your turn.

This has been fun and I can't wait to do it again.

Oh P.S. there is a Free Photo today too a cute gothy girl she is in the post bellow be sure to check her out.

Hugs to all Deborah

Free Photo Friday Young Gothy girl

2011-09-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

Winner of my ephemera giveaway will be announced shortly

in the mean time here is your Free Photo for Friday

Another spooky gal for ya just in time for Halloween. I've just altered this cutie pie's face and left everything else as is, so you can have some fun too.

Happy Creating Hugs Deborah

Free Friday Giveaway

2011-09-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Wow I'm blown away by how many of you have dropped in Thank you so much you have made my day. I've just added some more stuff according to some of the request

More photo's vintage snap shots and some cdv's of children a page from a tintype album 8 gem tintypes from 1869, hand written poem from 1863,a book of music sheets from 1940's,1956 pins and needles UK magazine great ads,1955 boxoffice magazine neat old ads for movies,2-ad sections from 1892 magazine some travel ads,few illustrations from 1881 magazine these are great for steampunk,few illustrated pages from harpers young people 1880, illustrated pages from the Strand magazine 1895, bird coloured plates 1966,coloured plates of mushrooms,flowers, and other great images from 1912 encyclopedia,maps,coloured plates of birds,butterflies,flowers,from 1920's dictionary,2-circus prints 1971,early bingo cards and markers,post cards Halloween,Xmas,travel,hand painted Xmas cards,1930's dairy coupons,vintage bus tickets and some postage stamps.

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

Okay folks its official my Free Friday THANK YOU giveaway is now open let the games begin.

This is just the tip of the ephemera iceburg that will go home to one lucky winner. Your requests will determine the rest of what goes into the goody bag.

If your interested in a chance to call this paper goodness yours, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post starting today Sept 16 I will leave this giveaway open until Friday Sept 23 10:00 am, then I will announce the winner.

For the giveaway nitty gritty:

please leave a comment on this post, I will be adding items to the giveaway through out the week. I would love to hear what kinds of ephemera everyone is interested in, if I have it I will add it to the loot bag, though putting in a request does not guarantee you will win the prize it will help me create one heck of a great giveaway gift.

Please leave contact info in your comment, I need some way to get a hold of you if your name is picked from the hat .

This giveaway is open to anyone who visits my blog new friends old friends all is welcome, you won't be required to jump through hoops, no requests to follow me and I won't harass you after this is all said and done!!! :) I promise, okay maybe if you ask real nice..................

I will ship anywhere no cost to you so come everyone join the fun!!!

One entry per person, sorry entering a gazillion times won't up your chances of claming the prize

I think thats about it, easy as pie!!!!

So far I have added to the lot several hand written pages from early 1830's to 1860's, a hand written letter and envelope 1924 , 1873 & 1882 children's news papers lovely etchings, several 1923 German bank notes, a few 1912 maps, old cabinet card photo's apx 1890's, pattern envelope and instructions apx 1940's I'm only guessing from the style of dress, 2 bird colour plates 1969, and some other odds and ends all vintage and great for art projects.

I will post new photo's as I add more stuff to the pile keep you all in the loop as it grows.

Thanks again everyone I'm honoured and thrilled you find my corner of blog land worthy of your time, no matter how long you stay for a visit It fills my heart with joy knowing you have stopped by.

Good luck Hugs Deborah

Ephemera giveaway coming this Friday 16th !!!!!!

2011-09-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

I just hit the 400 followers Yippee!!!I'm over the moon with excitment. I never in a million years would have thought that 40o fine folks would tag my site as a place they liked to stop by once in a while.

I'm not the kind of blogger that has to much going on nothing really blog worthy ever seems to happen in the Land of Nod. My posts are few and rather uneventful but some of you don't seem to mind and still drop in for a look see. THANK YOU!!!

I am truly grateful for all your comments and your visits, though I'm not a chit chatty kind of gal I do blog hop from time to time and I love what I see. I'm kind of shy( I know who would have thunk) and tend to lurk in silence so you might not even realize I have come by for a visit.

So as my way of saying thank you for all your kindness This weeks Free photo Friday post will be for a giveaway. I've started to pull together a ephemera goody bag for one lucky winner, there might be more gifts I will have to see. Now I will need your help I'm asking people when they leave a comment (NOT YET You MUST WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW Friday the 16th when giveaway officially starts) to tell me what kind of ephemera they are looking for if I have it I will add it to the lot.

I will post the how 2's and the where for's tomorrow with the giveaway post.

This is what I have gathered so far I will be adding more paper goodies as the week goes on, I have tons of old 1800's books, handwritten stuff, photo's, great 1930 magazines, postcards, postage stamps oh the list goes on and on so please tell me what you all go- ga ga over I will try and ad it.

Hope you will all stop by and add your comments you never know it just might land you the ephemera mother load of all mother loads.

Take care and see ya tomorrow Hugs Deborah

New Ephemera lots in Etsy

2011-09-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

29 birdy book plates by John Crosby 1966

I'm getting so tired having to move so much junk( you know the good kind) to find anything in my studio. The piles of paper are starting to look like they come right out of one of those houses you see on the hoarders show. Okay I'll fess up I'm a paper junkie bordering on horder......... but I'm not technically a hoarder cause I'm willing to part with my goodies if the price is right.

1850's hand written odds and ends 32 pcs

I've just listed a few ephemera packs In My Etsy Shop

just to convince myself that I can part with this stuff, I do scare myself with how attached I become to my paper.

Being lazy I've just gone ahead and bundled a huge lot of the stuff together, I can't be botherd trying to list this stuff one piece at a time..........Yikes that would be a task. I'm trying to keep the prices reasonable too I just want to get some of my $$$ back you know so I can buy more.

58 pages of antique religious ephemera, German/French bible pages
Cicely Mary Barker colour plates, and other colour plates

Any who if your into paper stuff the old kind I hope you stop by I will be adding more every day I just ran out of gas and need a nap. These ephemera packs are great for your art projects I like to use a lot of the hand written stuff in my own work.

Take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday `Witchy Woman

2011-09-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Click image for full size

Its that time of year again when everyone pulls out their black witchy hats and make their presence known. Okay maybe not yet but I've noticed a lot of dark spooky works of art floating around cyber land and thought I would add my 2 cents to the mix. I was not at my best when I gave this lady a makeover, killer headache so you will have to excuse the less than wonderful altering. I should have crawled back into bed but I'm a sucker for punishment, and kept on going- oh what a martyr I am........

Just in case you have a better hat or like your witchy woman minus a chapo I thought I would offer 2 versions with and without. That way you can put what ever you wish on top of her pretty noggin and I wouldn't be held responsible if she is not amused.I'm sure that sour puss pout she is sporting has something to do with what new tale I've made her a part of. Until next time have a happy Friday Hugs Deborah

Free photo Friday~ big Bowed Gal

2011-09-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

This big bowed altered gal has been sitting around waiting for me to come up with some friends for her. She was meant for a collage sheet however time has been on short supply this week and I found my Free Photo Friday folder empty. Lucky for me I had this gal hiding in the wings.

I like how she turned out so far she is one of my favorite do overs to date. I hope you like her too. Until next time take care and have a wonderful weekend

hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday -The good Ole Days-NOT!!!

2011-08-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 I'm so glad I wasn't born back then ads that I pulled from a 1933's Ladies home Journal magazine. These are so ridiculous I can't believe this appealed to woman back then. Different times I guess and this kind of marketing got ladies wanting to purchase what ever crap the seller was selling. Could you see advertisers going this route today- hey wait they do they just hide the dumbing down of woman better and make it less obvious to the naked eye.

Your probably thinking now how the heck am I suppose to use these images in my art. I'm planing on making tee shirts with mine of course there will be some snide comment added as well just to show how I don't approve of the good old days way of thinking.

Have a wonderful weekend end until next time take care hugs Deborah.

Free Photo Friday- 1933 Canned Goods

2011-08-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

While flipping through my 1933 Ladies Home Journals I came across these wonderful vintage graphics, these magazines are stuffed with great ads. Ads that show just how far things have come for woman, kind of funny but sad at the same time. With every turn of the page I'm like are you F@*%#*G kidding me............. Woops I slipped in a very naughty word while you weren't paying attention, but that was the reaction I had when I read those ads.

Anywho these are some images that are easily recognizable even today. I'll save the I've handed over my brain since I've become a Mrs. Hubby now keeps it in a safe place since I won't be needing it anymore, and yes this is really all a woman needs to be happy ads for another time

click on images for larger sizeBeans, Beans are good for your heart.............everytime a see a can of beans I can't help but sing this childhood rhyme.

I'm not sure if this product is still around I think I've seen it while doing the shopping not a brand I've used, but any brand that has a French name has to be good!!!

Hope you can use these images I love the bright colours and think they would add flavor to any mixed media project. Have a fun and creative weekend until next time take care

Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- The Man in the Red Coat

2011-08-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Click on image for full size

Here is another Altered Lad for you to play with. I not only added colour to this fella but preformed a full head transplant. Off with the original bloke's head and on with a new one, first gent was not the cutie I was looking for. So when you can't find the perfect man why you just make one up!!!

Have fun with the new and much improved Man in the Red Coat. Until next time Take care and happy creating hugs Deborah.

Free Photo Friday -The Mrs. Stearns

2011-08-05T04:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks Happy Friday, My favorite day of the week. I'm not sure poor Mrs. Stearns feels the same way about the day. She sure does have a very worried look on her face. Like we all are going to put her in some kind of uncompromising position or something. Don't fret my dear none of use would do such a thing................Or would we

Have fun playing with Mrs. Stearns just remember to be gentle with her she is a delicate creature and too much excitement and she just might faint. Have a great weekend until next time take care Hugs Deborah.

Free Photo Friday 1924 girly ads

2011-07-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday folks another week come and gone boy how time flies. I just purchased several Ladies home Journals from 1924-1933 and wow are they ever full of amazing coloured ads. Some nice fashion plates too. Both these images are from the 1924 magazine.

I took the text out of this one and cleaned it up, I thought it would make a nice frame for a soft feminine work of art.

click image for full size

I love the styles of this era and I could see this dress being fashionable today, very flowy.

I hope to scan some more images maybe come up with some art tags or collage sheets and of course have some more for you all here, there are plenty of fun ads to go around.

Hope you can find a use for these until next time have a wonderful day

Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Dapper Dan

2011-07-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

I found this lad hanging out in one of those public domain joints, he was to handsome to just leave behind so I took him home and gave him the Land Of Nod treatment.

click on image for full size

Very dapper indeed I can't wait to use him in some of my own projects, hope you can find a place for him in your family. Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

New Altered Folks in Etsy

2011-07-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been putting the finishing touches on my latest collage sheet for My Etsy Shop

its been quite some time since I have done one. I've went with just altered folks no gadgets or borders just people. These images are around 5-6 inches great for larger projects unless you have the program to resize them.

I've used a few of these images in my own work and have plans for the little boy I just need to get some other projects out of the way first. Thanks for stopping by until next time have a great day hugs Deborah

2011-07-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

I've started to go through some of my ephemera packages deciding which to add to my Clearance Sale at my

Etsy Shop

Ive taken paper goodies that didn't find a new home added them with other lots of paper items that did find a home then took my scissors out and chopped prices. This way You get more bang for your buck and I hopefully make space in my out bins!!!!

Lots of birdy goodness in this lot

old money who couldn't use some old money these days!!! this lot has millions of $$$$$ of course you can't spend it but kind of nice to say yup I'm pack-en some large bills in my wallet.

Nothing but hand written goodness in this lot, large selection of various ledger pages some full size others just bits and bobs but all interesting. Some of these date back to 1867 then move on up into the 1930's

This is just a few of the latests items to get the red marker sale treatment, I've listed more and will continually be adding items to my Clearance sale section. I need to clean house so if you don't see something that catches your interest this time around who knows maybe tomorrow will be a different story. Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- For the Birds

2011-07-13T10:29:00.001-07:00

Hello Happy Friday Folks I hope your day is going well. Last weekend I purchased this wonderful little book titled "Bird Guide Land Birds East of the Rockies" 1916. My first thought was to pass it on in my etsy shop but the hoarder selfish side of me took over the more I looked at it. Heck no way am I going to give this up there are to many amazing birdies in this book to just move it along. So I decided to keep it for myself but not being a total hog I'm passing the birdies through my FPF. Much better I say that way more folks get to enjoy them and not just myeslf. The book is small and the images are even smaller the birds would be the perfect size for atcs.......... anywho here are some birds for you to play with there are over 190 bird images in the book so if you all think these are a great Free Photo Friday freebie let me know I will add more in the up coming weeks.

the purple martin

the Field sparrow

Chipping sparrow
American Goldfinch
Northern Raven
Carolina Paroquet

I really like this book and plan to use some of these fellas in my own work
I hope you can find a use for them as well.

Thanks for stopping by Have a great weekend until next time

Hugs Deborah

New Art Journal for Sale

2011-07-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

This poor journal has been sitting for the longest time half finished waiting for me to get my butt in gear and get to work. I've seemed to have run out of steam and my muse jumped aboard the train along with my energy. I'm blaming in on the stinking heat and humidity yup thats the red handed thief run off with my drive............ Any who I forced myself to sit still for a second and work this is what I came up with.

I'm taking baby steps into the I can do that arena and trying my hand at some hand painted detail work. I've always let the who are you trying to kid voices win when ever I got the notion to give drawing a go, but I'm tired of not putting my unique stamp on things so shush to those na sayer voices that live within. I can't draw if my life depended on it but I'm willing to put that small detail aside and give it a shot.
I didn't draw the arch on this page but I did paint it with my new inktense crayons, Oh my I love these pencils.

Now the tree yup thats all me, not perfect but a good effort I'm sure the more I do this hand drawing thing the better I'll get.

I've listed this new journal in My Etsy Shop

its a blank hard covered book with nice thick paper, strong enough for collage work. I actually use one for my prompt journal and love it.

Thanks for stopping by hope your day is filled with sun and fun

until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday atc envelope #2 fairy

2011-07-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Yippee it's Friday!!! that means another image to play with. Yup its another atc envelope seems the first one went over well so I thought why not do another one. This time around I used last weeks wee fairy baby and came up with a more girly girl offering. I hope blogger doesn't mess this ones size up if it does and you don't want to play around with sizing just email me and I will send you the right file so all you have to do is print and way you go.

Click on image for full size.

Thanks so much for checking out the Nod hope you have a great weekend until next time take care hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Fairy Baby

2011-06-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Happy Friday and Happy Canada Day my fellow canucks, yup we are having a B-day today with cake and everything, I've got my red on in celebration.

Okay enough of that hoopla on to the free image I found this gal on a PD site and gave her a Land Of Nod makeover nothing to fussy liked her white dress so I left it as is. She looked like she needed wings and there is nothing more darling than a fairy baby so I just had too give her some. This was a rather small file so things got a bit blurry when I enlarged her still cute but not as crisp as I would have liked.

Happy creating I know she will soar when given the chance.

Until next time have a great weekend

Hugs Deborah

Sale!Sale!Sale!!! I'm having a SALE

2011-06-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm getting tired of having to look at this stuff the smell of failure is very hard on ones ego. These blingy goodies never seemed to grab anyones attention when I listed them long time ago in Etsy

not one to take the hint I'm giving them a another shot this time I have rediculously slashed prices ( I'm sounding like a used car salesman here). I'm hoping this is the push that will make these items disappear and be out of my hair. I've got more to go through but this is just the first bunch to get the red maker sale price treatment.

Soldered blingy Marie charm
another soldered art charm innocence, I love this image

These would make wonderful connector's I'm selling them as a pair

Steam punk soldered art necklace

Oh that mad Hatter simple soldered art necklace

This necklace is made with various vintage items and some newer stuff too.

Well I'm heading back into the stock room with my red marker in hand I've got more prices to slash, maybe some paper goodies will find there way into this sale too!!! Hope you can stop by and check out my Etsy Sale all reduced items are in the Clearance sale section.

Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

New tag collage sheet in etsy

2011-06-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've just finished up a new collage sheet and listed it in My Etsy Shop

This time around I decided to try my hand at some gift tags or book marks I think they would work for both. I've been busy altering wee ones for the past few days I really enjoy this part of the process and I'm getting quicker at it, I guess even an old dog like me can pick up the pace when need be. I'm Still not as fast coming up with these collage sheets as I would like but I'm getting better.

Hope everyone is having a productive day

Until next time take care

Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Alice

2011-06-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Folks Wow another week just slipped by it seems that time keeps moving faster and faster as I get older.

I found the original(an old tin type) of this girl on a public domain site I think it was the commons on flickr and the name Alice jumped right out at me. I knew once I was done tinkering with her she could slip into Wonderland without causing to much of a stink.

Click on image for full size

I'm giving her a new story of my own another moleskine with a Wonderland feel to it, maybe someone else can find a use for her in their own version of wonderland.

Thanks so much for dropping in have a fantastic weekend until next time take care Hugs Deborah.

Altered Moleskine's

2011-06-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

These Moleskine journals have been sitting around waiting for me to get my butt in gear and give them a face lift, I've been telling myself they need a make over for months but my procrastinating ways won over until now. I've been a busy little bug and finished up all three that have been collecting dust on my shelf. I've even manged to list them in

in my Etsy shop

This one I called Lady with a Fish I know how origianl.........hey my creativity stops when I put the paint brush down.

These are all cut and paste collages

This is a 8 1/4 x 5 inch lined journal moleskine

I did the back with a old ledger sheet and added some fish to tie everything together, the front inside cover is done with a reprint of a antique marble book page.
this is a smaller lined moleskine journal 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 called The Girl with Fish Balloons, oh my the originality continues.........

I used some old 1922 German Bank notes for the back cover, poor fishy lost his head in the sealing process. The inside covers are done with more hand written ledger pages and marble reprint paper.

Girl with a Bird Hat..... I know who would of thunk!!!! This journal is the same size as the first one.

Back cover is the same image I offered in this weeks Free photo Friday(come to think of it so is the front - the girl with the bird hat) I did add some flowers to the back just to make it different. Inside covers on this one are old handwritten goodness + the marble reprint paper.

I'll have to see how these do before I sit my lazy butt down and come up with more, I enjoyed gussying them up maybe I'll do one more just for myself.

Thanks for dropping in until next time take care and Happy Father's day to all the Daddies out there. Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- A little Background

2011-06-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm a little background lets see I was born in a small town, oh not the background you where looking for hee hee I couldn't resist. I've been working on some Moleskins giving them a makeover, Here are a few scans of some of backgrounds before I added my what nots.

I like to apply layers of old bits of paper and rip it back off and then paint, these have the well worn look of an old dirty wall, yummy my fav dirty and worn. They measure apx 5x8 inches and printed up kind of dark so you might need to tinker around a bit they would make neat backgrounds for Atc with some resizing.
Click on image for full size

Again not sure if anyone is into this kind of thing but I ran out of time and never got to any photo altering this week and this is all I had on hand ready to go for Free photo Friday (I know not really a photo) I hope someone out there likes messy and worn as much as I do.

Have a happy day folks until next time take care

Hugs Deborah :)

Free Photo Friday- Atc envelope

2011-06-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

I like to send my Atc's in some kind of envelope or fancy sleeve but sometimes I just get down right lazy or don't have the extra time to make one. So I thought why not make a printable envelope for just those to short on time moments, one I can print up over and over until I get bored to tears with it. I tinkered a bit with a recent atc I made (hope the new owner of this atc doesn't mind that I'm passing it around) and came up with this. Easy peasy just print cut out and glue sides and bottom and presto a Fancy envelope to send your atc in.

Now I'm not sure how many folks will use this after all if your into making atc's I'm you would probably like to use your own art but I thought I would pass it on just in case someone out there might be lazy like me. I sized it to print on 8.5 x 11 inch paper however turns out when I posted it here on blogger it grew so you will have to resize it in order to fit a Atc, blasted blogger..... If you don't feel like fiddling with it just email me and I can send the file which will allow you to print it up at the right size.

Hope you all have a perfect weekend until next time take care
Hugs Deborah

Early 1800's French Hand written goodness in Etsy

2011-06-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

I've just listed some new collage sheets In My Etsy Shop

The perfect solution to avoiding that old stinky moldy allergy inducing coughing fit one gets when handling old book pages. All the suffering has been taken out of your hands, you get to enjoy that aged to perfection dirty stained look minus all the mess.

I've recently purchased some wonderful old Hand written French documents dating from 1814-1876, please don't ask me what they say cause I'm clueless when it comes to French. I just thought they where to amazing to pass up even though I don't know just what they are.

When I saw the old stamped seals and embossed seals I just melted.

Here is just a sample of what I have listed.

MMMMM yummy

Thanks for stopping bye I hope you get the chance to check these out in My Shop I think they are great but then I think all my old papers are great. until next time have a wonderful day Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Agnes

2011-06-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

We all have our dark side and sweet Agnes is no exception, this weeks free image is another gothy, pale lass with lots of secrets tucked away in that tidy updo.

click on image for full size.

Have fun playing with Agnes take care until next time

Hugs Deborah

Another new Collage sheet -The Inventors

2011-05-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

I've just listed In MY Etsy Shop

A brand new collage sheet called The Inventors. I've created some funky hats and toys for this lot to play with, and in my search for unique steampunky items I found some neat old inventions too.

Thanks for taking a peek until next time have a great day Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Poor Boy

2011-05-27T03:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday Folks I hope all is well with everyone. This weeks image comes from the Library of Congress, another sad tale of a young lad forced to work when he should have been playing and just being a kid. These images are very haunting such sad, hard faces on someone so young. I have done 2 versions of this lad one is more on the grimier side added another layer to dirty him up and give him a worn feel. The other a bit brighter. The original image was not the best but I wanted to give this fella a go at altering. Sorry for the less than crisp clear image.

This is the slightly darker grimier of the 2 images.

click to make image larger

And that would make this one the brighter not much of a difference but I thought I would add both they might print up the same I haven't checked that yet myself.

Thanks for stopping by I hope you can find a use for this young lad and give him something to smile about. Until next time have a great weekend Hugs Deborah.

New Fairy Collage Sheet

2011-05-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

I've just put the finishing touches on my latest collage sheet and listed it in My Etsy Shop

I thought I would keep the fairy wings separate from the children this way there are more fairy options, Also lets you play with the kiddies without wings too. The small images are just the right size for ATC's and the bigger wee ones are apx 4 + inches high for larger projects.

This sheet is the first in a serious of fairy children I'm working on. My next project is a brother and sister pair that are more on the pre teen side.

Thanks for stopping by until next time take care and have a wonderful day

Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday The Odd Couple

2011-05-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday folks wow another week just flew by this is not a good sign, I guess it means I'm getting old. This weeks image is the same altered photo I used in my 4x4 colour challenge page. I only gave the fella the once over because I wanted him to stand out, I think the poor man looks completely terrified in a adorable kind of way. This also allows you to gussy the misses up how ever you want. The actual photo was rather small sorry if this image is not quite as clear as it should be I enlarged it a tat and of course that takes away from the quality.

Have fun with the odd couple!!!! I hope your weekend is full of sunshine and great times.
Until next time take care hugs Deborah

My final 4x4 page Stage Fright

2011-05-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

My final instalment to the 4x4 colour challenge I'm in. I called this page "Stage Fright" cause this fella looks terrified. I left wifey kind of plain because I wanted hubby to stand out and truth be told he is the flashy one in the family.

Now on to my monthly journal prompt page then I'm all caught up with projects, looks like I'll finally get some time for altering wee folks for a new collage sheet.

Until Next time take care and have a great day

Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- All Dolled Up

2011-05-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday the 13th looks like the curse of the 13th has been in full swing. Blogger has been down for hours and my free photo Friday post went MIA, I like to do my drafts on Thursday then come Friday morning its just a click of the button and presto Free photo Friday is up and running. But not today blasted F-13th I've got to start from scratch.

Anywho no big deal if that is all the mischief the day will bring for me I'm one happy camper.

I've been going through a lot of my old books pulling images here and there. I'm making up grab bags of most of what I pilfer from the books and offering them in my E- shop. This one I though I would share with you all. This colour plate came from "The Book Of Knowledge-The Children's Encyclopedia" 1912

Most of these dolls are quite cute but top lefty is one spooky gal she gives me the hebbie jebbies YIKES..........she looks pe'od.

Click on image for larger size

Hope you can find a use for them and I'm hoping your Friday the 13th turns out uneventful in a good way!!!

Thanks for stopping by have yourself a wonderful weekend

Until next time hugs Deborah

Colour Challenge

2011-05-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

I seem to sign up for these colours challenges a lot. I'm not a good decision maker and having someone else chose the palette for me seems to make life easier. This challenge is for three 4x4 inch pages in red, brown and turquoise. Here are my first two pages my brown isn't chocolaty enough and my turquoise is more on the tealy side I never can get those two colours right, but what's done is done and I ain't doing no do-overs.

I didn't realize until after I added my lady that the ledger sheet I used underneath read Henry Cole Died, I love that unexpected twist (sick puppy I know) and I didn't want to cover it up so I left it as is.

I love these girls so pretty they are. Well I'm off to work on page #3 I'm still hashing out just what approach I'm going to take. I hope you all are having some wonderful spring weather I'm enjoying the sun here in my neck of the woods finally!!!!

Until Next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday Iron on transfers

2011-05-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Happy Friday Folks. I've been sorting through my old illustrations deciding which ones would make good collage sheets for iron on transferring. Boy do I have a lot to go through these ones came from a news paper called "The Child's Paper" which dates as far back as 1852.

These images are fantastic for your wee pillows, tote bags, tea towels or what ever project you use iron transfers for. Just make sure you use the highest setting your printer will allow.

Click on images for full size

Have fun with these!!!! I'm scanning and cleaning images everyday with the intent on creating more collage sheets that will be available in In My Etsy Shop

Until next time have a great weekend hugs Deborah

Pillow Talk

2011-05-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

I decided to give my own down loadable sheets a go and see just how they look when used on fabric. Now I'm not much of a pillow maker my sewing is limited to teddy bears so please no laughing. I used a natural cotton with Avery transfer paper, printed on the highest setting.

I'm actually pleased how these images transfered they are quite crisp looking on the fabric.

I think the Dr. Wilbor's is my favorite.

Its a rainy dreary day so my photo's aren't coming out as bright as I hoped but I just wanted to show you how these images look when used on fabric.

Thanks for stopping by I'm off to scan more fun images for more transfer sheets which will be available in My Etsy Shop soon.

Until next time take care Deborah

New Collage Sheets for Iron On transfers

2011-05-02T15:36:00.001-07:00

I have all these wonderful Illustrations from various magazines and old books I've been collecting over the years. Some of the images where just to pretty to cut up and use in my collage work I never knew what to do with them until now. I keep seeing all these neat pillows and tote backs with vintage images and thought hey these would be perfect for that.

So I've started to clean them up and created some digital downloads for iron on transfers. These are just a few I have added to

My Etsy shop

I'm in the process of scanning and cleaning more and I'm altering some folks too for some fun wacky sheets as well. Will keep you in the loop when I manage to get those up.

Thanks for stopping by until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Lost Childhood

2011-04-29T03:41:00.000-07:00

Hello welcome to My Free Photo Friday, this weeks image is one I found in the Library of Congress which I redid. This lad's life was not an easy one and I wanted to keep the integrity of the picture intact so I didn't overdo the altering. This is the young man I used in my "He Dreams In Black and White" ATC.

Click on image for full version

Please be gentle with him he deserves some kindness and a new story.
Thanks so much for checking in have a great day
Until next time hugs Deborah

2 more atc's to add to the anything goes list

2011-04-25T15:58:00.001-07:00

Yahoo!!! one more swap project out of the way. I just finished up the other 2 atcs for the Anything goes swap now I just need to make the envelopes. I decided to use images from a collage sheet I'm working on, these two lads + a pretty lady are almost ready to go they are part of my inventors collage sheet which will be available soon in my etsy shop.

This card is not about the one you have but the one you let go-"Regrets". I've used some of my actual antique photo's for this challenge I've got so many of them I might as well play with them. The image of the lady is a little brownie type photo I beat up.

From time to time we all need something to lean on- "Lean On Me", the background image is another antique photo. I wanted the landscape to have a cold feel to it so I painted it to look like winter, ta da the lake is now frozen. This lad is one of my altered folks coming soon to etsy. Both of these cards are cut and paste, paint.
I hope to get to work on more collage sheets but I'm waiting for a few new antique photo's to arrive keeping my fingers crossed they land in the Nod soon.

Thanks for taking a peek at my latest creations I hope you are having a creative day yourself, take care until next time hugs Deborah

He dreams in black and white ATC

2011-04-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

One Atc down 2 more to go, this is a new art card for a swap I'm in called Anything goes. You would think with me getting to choose the theme it would make this challenge easy but nope not for me. I have spent most of my day trying to figure out just what I want to do and which direction I want to go. I'm not very good with decisions but finally I came up with card #1

He Dreams in Black and white.

Part of the back ground is a antique photo I found while going through my ledger books, I beat it up then painted it. I also used some of my ledger sheet I like how the writing just peeks through, I will be using this stuff in more projects I love it so much.

The lad is from the Library of Congress the story is kind of sad really so I didn't want to fuss him up to much. I wanted his haunted look to come through. I'm hoping to work on the other 2 tomorrow after finishing this guy up I have a better Idea of what I want to do for the last 2.

Hope you are having a wonderful day until next time take care Deborah.

Free Photo Friday- Altered Fairy

2011-04-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Folks, I decided a Fairy was in order for this weeks Altered free photo after all you can never have to many fairies. I'm not a huge fan of the colour pink(sorry pink lovers I'm a earth tone gal) but after last weeks rather dark and gothy offering I wanted to create a softer less scary soul for you all to play with. Not a rebellious spooky bone in the gal's body.

click on image for full size

I hope you like her and find a creative way to use her. Thanks for popping in have yourself a wonderful day.

Until next time take care hugs Deborah

April's journal prompt page-The Land Of Odd

2011-04-19T03:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much time to play in the studio, I can't quite figure out where all my time is flittering off to when I'm not looking. I did manage to squeeze some time in yesterday and finished up my Aprils journal page, this month's theme was another tough one.

If you could live anywhere besides the place you currently live- where would that be? Send someone a postcard from that place.

I love where I live but if I had all the money in the world( I would need it to heat the place) I would like to live in a castle on a hill where I'm Queen!!!! where what I say is the law of the land, how perfect would that be

My dream place of course The Land Of Odd........

Maybe some day I'll win the lottery and have my castle high on a hill, Until then the Land Of Nod will do just fine.

Thanks for stopping by hope you are having a wonderful week take care until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Kinder Goth Mira

2011-04-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

I hope you all like to head on over to the dark side every once in a while, because I tinkered in Photo shop and birthed Mira a Kinder Goth gal. A pale snip of a child who only wants to find someone to play with will that someone be you.

Enjoy Mira I'm sure in the right hands she will come alive. Take care and have a wonderful weekend until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday-Ads from 1906

2011-04-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Folks I hope your day is going well. Here are some more wonderful old ads to play with this one is from the 1910 Ladie's Home Journal I recently purchased. It has some damage to it but still great in my opinion that wee one is soooo sweet.

Click on images to get full size

These ads are from a 1906 publication called "The Youth's Companion" I purchase quite a few of the covers they have wonderful coloured illustrations and on the back of each one are a few great old ads. For me sometimes the ads are more fun than the cover work. I like the flower frame on this one you could easily colour the flowers and just use that part in you art work.

MMMMM boiled ham sounds delish-not.........but the girl is cute.

I have a weakness for the old ads and I don't care what the magazine is if it has great ads I'm taking it home. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I'm working on a new collage sheet and maybe a few altered folks for next weeks FPF fingers crossed I find the time to fit everything in.

Take care and have fun until next time Hugs Deborah

New Paper Goodies in Etsy

2011-04-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

Shameful plug here I just listed some cool or what I think is cool paper goodies in

MY Etsy shop

I've starting to go through some of my ephemera to see what I'm willing to part with I need to make room on my shelves for more goodies after all one can always find more exciting paper goodness just around the next corner so I must be prepared with space when that happens.

My recent purchase of a couple of 1910 Ladie's Home Journal came less than perfect, seems some scissor happy yahoo went a slicing and dicing on many of the pages. I'm thinking a wee one hit moms stash way back when and made herself some paper dolls with some of the images, andywho not one to waste I managed to salvage a bunch of the ads by doing some cutting of my own. I've listed a grab bag of apx 45 different clippings of must haves items for the 1910 crowd. This is just a sample of the ads I saved.

this listing is for (4) monthly statements for a Samul Workman from the Advance Cheese Factory, how fun are these.....did you know it took apx 11 lbs of milk to make one lb of cheese, me neither

I just found this amazing 1867 hand written school exercise book over the weekend, wow what a wonderful treasure. It was a bit tough but I'm parting with a few of these pages of perfect penmanship. I just love these so many pages full of great topics like Notes on accounting exciting stuff hugh............

Got Milk..... if you wanted milk back in the 30 and 40's you would have had some of these dairy tickets, yup the good old days when milk came to your door.

I purchased a few full dairy coupon books last week and I've listed a few sheets in my etsy shop. These are from 1940

This set of sheets are from 1930

I've still have many paper things I wish to say good by too, but that means more sorting. I think its time I parted with some of my old brownie type photo's and other loot I have kicking around. Of course I'll come here to tell you all about it. Thanks for popping in I hope your day is going well, Until next time hugs Deborah

Little Miss Smarty Pants new collage sheet in Etsy

2011-04-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get a few new collage sheets done but I seem to keep falling behind. I did manage to finish up one today yahoo and it only took me a week!!!! I've just listed Miss Smarty Pants in In My Etsy shop

hope you can stop by and take a peek.

I've got some idea's up my sleeve for more collage sheets I hope to get started on them within the next few days. I'll keep you posted.

Have a wonderful day until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Ladies Home Journal 1910

2011-03-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on a fantablous find last weekend while visiting a small antique shop in my home town. I was just about to leave with a few small trinkets when the shop keeper asked what I like to collect, well let me see the list is long but I was in the mood for paper goodies so I said you know old paper stuff, receipts, handwritten journals, old magazines basically any kind of paper ephemera. Turns out he had a stash of old magazines, newspapers and some hand written letters stashed away in the back, he had been storing it for years but thought no one would be interested. I nearly passed out from excitement when he pulled out his hidden stash, but of course I couldn't let on that his stash was anything special. So how much for it all I ask, being the more is better type I wasn't going to leave any of those goodies behind if I could help it. So he tossed out a number which I immediately said I'll take it in a voice that I'm sure betrayed the let me think about it expression I've mastered so well, still need to work on the high squeal of excitement voice thing.

Anywho in a huge pile of amazing antique paper stuff where 2 Ladies home journals from 1910 stuffed with mouth watering vintage goodness. Here are a few fashion plates and a vintage ad for you to play with. This was a must have dress in 1910 all the ladies where talking about the new hot designs. Would you look at those hats wow not just anybody could wear one of those my tiny head would get lost in such hugeness.

I'm still sorting through all the pages there are tons of fun ads to pour over and tales to read, then days and days of scanning ahead.I just found more goodies yesterday while out and about so it looks like I may never get caught up but I will have a blast trying.

Hope you all have a splendid day take care until next time hugs Deborah

One More Project Checked of the To Do List

2011-03-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy another art project checked of the to do list. I have been sitting on this mini ATC challenge for a while now, kept passing it by every now and then with later I'll get to you later. well with this kind of back burner shoving time sneaks up and yikes you find the due date looming right before your eyes. To us procrastinator types due dates around the corner are sometimes just what we need to get the ole keister moving.

Of course when time is ticking we don't always put our best foot forward, I messed up royally with these forgot to recheck everyones wish list and kind of missed the boat with a few themes, but I have to tell ya I'm playing with a very forgiving group so my cards will go as is.

The cards are for round 2 of The Altoid mini card challenge a earlier swap I participated in. The cards must be 2 x 3 1/4 inches so they fit in a altered Altoid tin, and each player got to choose their own theme.

This cards theme was birds

I had the choice of moon or sun for this card, thats a moon in the window hard to tell but its a moon. Another card where I had 2 choices between flaming or fish me being indecisive I decided to go with both. This was also suppose to be a tropical theme but here is where I missed the boat for a 2nd time, not a tropical thing about this........

Another goof this theme was suppose to be funky crow I lost the word funky somewhere in my brain and just found crow....though my crow is wearing a saddle funky but not really funky enough. My (faux pau- I spell so bad even spell check can't save me) was overlooked and the crow whisper will still be on route to his intended new home. Thanks Renee for being so understanding.

Okay can you guess the theme here...................yipee I got this one right butterflies

Lesson learned read and then reread swap instructions before you start your project, not after. Well now that I have my projects under control on to some new collage sheets, I've go a few folks waiting for a do over then the big reveal.

Until next time take care and have a wonderful day hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Charlie Brown

2011-03-24T13:33:00.001-07:00

I have just learned something new!!!, who says you can't teach and old geezer like me new tricks. Of course I wouldn't have been able to learn this new technical trick without the help of my daughter, sometimes the kids are handy having around!!!! Now this may be old news to most of you but for me this is pretty exciting I just leaned how to add a larger picture to my blog. I know impressive hugh...........For years I have been stuck using blogs downsizing the crap out of my photo up-loader method , But not anymore move over wee photo's and let the big boys in. So this weeks free photo is coming to you at its full size, I know our boy Charlie still isn't huge but much bigger than he used to be. They grew the old kids on the small side back then.

Have fun giving Charlie a new tale to tell.

Thanks so much for dropping in I hope you are able to find some time to play, me I'm planing on creating some altered folks for some new collage sheets that is if I can find some extra minutes lying around.

Until next time Hugs Deborah

The 4 Colours Challenge

2011-03-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

I've signed up for a Atc challenge which involves only using 4 colours my group's colours where light blue,green, yellow and brown. I thought I had this in the bag but turns out it was much harder than I first thought. I could only work in the division I applied for when I joined the group which was mixed media and I just couldn't wrap my wee brain how I was going to accomplish this 4 colour thing. Another rule you could only use black and white to line, shadow or highlight. Yikes I'm used to working with images full of colour how do I incorporate images without colour. Where there is a will there is a way and I was darn well going to figure that way out.

Here is what I came up with

I used a image of a blue window from a church in my village and the rest is paint, texture gel and rub ons.

An antique photo transfered onto card then painted, more rub ons to
Lots of texture here with gel and gesso, paint, another transfer and more rub ons
Antique photo transfered, old postage stamp, altered fish image, paint and rub ons. I used the same rub ons for all 4 cards to pull all the cards together.
I am so glad I'm done now I can move on to the next project.
Thanks for dropping in hope your day is shaping up to be a great on
Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Red

2011-03-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Friday to you all, looks like I've overextended myself again and all I could come up with was one wee gal for Fridays freebie she may be alone but what a cutie she is. I have a thing with red hair for most of my life with the help of Miss Clairol I passed myself off as a redhead, now I'm Grey and proud of all those wiry colorless locks, means I've had life experiences. My lack of colorful locks though does not keep me from living out my redhead dream. I tend to pass my love on for the colour to a lot of my altered folks. So let me introduce you to Red a rather robust young thing with a fiery temper and hair to match. I hope you like her and can give her a new story to tell. She has gotten into moms makeup and kind of over did things don't ya think.
I've been picked out and put on display, now thats not something that happens to me everyday so I'm going to shout it out from the rooftop. The gracious Laura over at Artfully Musing
has chosen me for her Blog of the week, Laura you make me feel like a rock star. Laura picks different artists from blog land and does a feature on them, shows their art work and introduces these artists to a wider audience. I'm thrilled and honored that she feels my blog is worthy of the attention I hope I do her proud. Thank you Laura for thinking of me I appreciate your taking the time out to help me find new friends. So every one who has come over from Laura's Artfully Musing welcome to the Land Of Nod I hope you enjoy your visit, and to those of you who already know me and my silly ways thank you to for coming by have yourself a super fun Friday,

Until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Miss Pratt

2011-03-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

I've been crazy busy trying to get my collage sheets ready for etsy so busy I didn't have much time to come up with this weeks photo's, lack of time my sad excuse for only offering up one wee lass. I altered Miss Pratt and gave her a dark around the eyes Gothic look, but softened her up with a butterfly dress. I really like how she turned out I'm getting better at this each time a gussy up those old photo's. Okay it just might be me but I think I have.

I'm excited to say I also got some collage sheets done and I'm listing them in my

Etsy shop

today. It took me awhile but I think I came up with some pretty unique things, I hope you will come take a peek. Please let me know what you think I would love to hear from those who use collage sheet and know what you look for in a sheet. I have many ideas for future sheets but would love to know if I'm on the right track.

Thanks so much for stopping by I hope you like the young Miss Pratt

Until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Everything but the Kitchen Sink

2011-03-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Thank you for popping in my Free Photo Friday today images are all over the place. I've grabbed a bit of this and a bit of that and a little of everything. Most of these images are from a scrap book type album full of one families adventures. They are the small brownie type photo's not so great for blog land, but I think they are a hoot this family knew how to have fun. I do apologize for the tiny size.

I've altered this wee one thought I would leave her dress as is so you can gussy it up as you wish. Hubby said this gal was one UGLY child I'm like are you kidding me she is adorable. I should have known not to ask him for his opinion he just doesn't get it.......

Don't adjust your set, your not tipsy yes most of these ladies are kind of blurry but hey they don't seem to mind so why should we.

I don't think these lads are hunting for big game in these outfits more like they a hunting for the ladies.
I got lazy and didn't bother to clean up this shot or the other images for that matter but I'm sure you can make this lady respectable and give her a much needed face lift.

A group of First Nations Children I think a few of the people in my album must of been teachers because there are several pictures of a couple with this group of youngsters on different outings.

collage sheet update I'm still playing around with images I now have one full sheet done and working on #2 I hope to have a few up in my etsy shop by next week. I'm still trying to get my head around the ins and outs of things, it slow going but I'm getting the hang of things hope you will come and visit when I'm up and running.

Thanks for joining me today have a great day

until next time Hugs Deborah

Feb's Prompt Journal Page

2011-03-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like waiting until the last second to do things, I've become so good at procrastinating why the heck change things now. This is Feb's journal page for the prompt journal challenge I'm in. The months theme was "what I love" of course my family is on the top of that list, (okay that all depends on who has pissed me off) but this is all about art and the things I love

The Odd

The Strange

The unexpected

The weird

and naughty words, I especially love those!!!!!

March's theme is "what I believe" this one has me stumped I will need to think long and hard about this prompt. Its a good thing I have a month to get it done cause nothing profound is surfacing just yet.

Hope your having a wonderful creative day until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- The Family

2011-02-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

Hello thank you for stopping by my Free photo Fridays, I have big news or at least its big for me. I now have high speed!!!! It only took me 10 years to get it, I've always been kind of behind the times. Living in the middle of know where has its disadvantages. You are probably saying to yourself what the ding dang dong does high speed have to do with free photo's well unfortunately this means I will be slowing down with what I offer here on my Free Photo Friday's. My plan has always been to create collage sheets for my etsy shop with my antique photo's, but with dial up sending them would have been impossible. Now that I have joined up with all you fast folks I can set my plans in motion. Again how does this effect my Free Photo Friday's you ask. I wish to offer my etsy costumers unique images to play with, ones I have not passed around for my Free photo Fridays. My collection of images is large but not endless so I will now be saving the majority of my images for my collage sheets.

I will still continue to offer up free images here on my blog, and I will try and put at least one altered fun image up every week. As well as the smaller everyday images that the good old folks of them olden days took with their Brownie type cameras and of course what other images I have that wouldn't make great collage sheets. I hope you will come join me in my new adventure I'm excited to finally be able to get my hands dirty and use my images in the way I have always wanted to.

This is this weeks altered image I hope you enjoy her.

Here are some of the small Brownie type photo's I was talking about, I do have tons of these.

This mom was one very Foxy lady, kept her style up even after having the kids.
I think Mom was a gangster she loved her getaway car.
multi generations of gangsters.

I hope you can find a use for these folks. I have always had a fascination peeking into other peoples lives though these aren't world changing I think they are fun.

I'm starting to get to work on some sheets hope to have them up in my shop soon will keep you posted. Until then have a wonderful weekend hugs Deborah

A Bit Of Art

2011-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't been up to creating much lately my energy has gone and left me high and dry. Winter is taking it tole on this old gal, but despite all this whining I have done a few projects for swaps I signed up for.

Nothing over the top but some fun pieces, this is a bookmark for a ongoing swap this months theme was whimsy houses. I was influenced by the artist Daniel Merriam and his wonderful wacky houses when I created this house bookmark. I even Tried my hand at drawing and watercolor and I really had fun so much I'm going to do a few more. I still need to punch my hole and add my fibers but you get the gist.

Zetti Heart was the theme for this journal page, I haven't done much zetti before but looking back at some of my old work I think I may have been heading in that zetti direction, my work tends to be a bit on the odd side which apparently is what zetti is all about. This is another style I'm having fun with.

I wasn't to thrilled with how this Bird-Love theme journal page turned out I was stuck in a rut and couldn't dig my way out . Its obvious I didn't put my best foot forward but I managed to get it done in time for the swap. I hope my trade partner doesn't feel they got jipped.
I'm going to be taking a bit of a break from the actual cut and paste art for a bit I'm still involved in a few swaps so I won't be cutting it out all together. After 10 years of dial up I now have high speed Internet!!! Can you say YAHOO!!!I have been wanting to do collage sheets for my Etsy shop for the longest time but with dial up that was not going to happen, but now that I have entered the modern world things are gonna change. I'm starting to work on some fun and unique image sheets that will be available in my etsy shop. I just have to figure out all the ins and outs and stuff and I will be ready to roll. I'll keep ya posted with my progress.
Thanks for stopping by the Nod hope you are having a wonderful day
Until Next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Oh Those Darn Kids

2011-02-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

I'm late I'm late oh boy I'm so late. It has been a crazy run around past few days and I plum forgot to get my Free photo's ready. I have been tiding up these darn messy kids for the past few hours and they where far worse off than I thought. I usually have this all done on Thursday then its a quick click come Friday morning and presto we are all done, but this was not the case this morning so like I said I'm late.........................therefore I'm going to keep this short and sweet, enjoy the peace and quite I don't do it often.

I know what the heck is this? why its the back of one of the photo's. I sometimes like the backs of the pictures just as much as what is on the front and I hate to waste such wonderful graphics. They make great backgrounds for collages or what not so I'm adding this one to the lot maybe you can see the value of it as much as I do.
Now that was easy just the way I like it, easy peasy.

Sorry for my tartness I will do my darnedest to make it on time next week.

Have a fun and creative day

Until Next time hugs Deborah

AND THE WINNER IS...................

2011-02-17T15:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for taking the time out to come visit my blog during this OWOH giveaway, I hope you have enjoyed your visit. I had a wonderful time hearing from all of you and I really appreciate all the kind comments my heart is full of joy!!!. Now that things have settled down I plan on coming to visit all the new blogs and friends that I have made along this wonderful journey. I'm on dial up and have an old computer so this will take time but I know will be worth it.

I skipped the fancy random calculator and went with hubby made him choose a random number for my draw made him feel apart of the whole OWOH experience. Anywho and that number belonges to

Drum roll please...........................

The winner of Land Of Nods OWOH giveaway is

KRISTIN OF TWINKLE TWINKLE

Congratulations Kristin hope you enjoy your winnings.

Thank you again everyone for stopping by I had such a fun ride this has been an experience I will treasure.

Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday-February's Kids

2011-02-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

I've done so many Free photo Fridays now I'm starting to get confused as to which images I have shared, I think these guys are all new. I don't know I could have missed them in the past and if I actually didn't and you have actually seen them before I apologize.

I'm always curious when I see pictures of children with musical instruments if they actually can play them or if they are just props. This young lady looks like she is holding her violin correctly has me convinced she knows what she is doing but then again I know nothing about how one should hold one of these, I was a flute player in my younger days.

That pout is so sweet what a darling child.

I've gothed this young lady up before and put her through the zetti circuit she is so fun to alter with such a serious face on a young person.
Another cutie not sure if this is a boy or girl grown ups in the olden days liked to put dresses on anything so you never know what your looking at. I'm going with a girl!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by I really appreciate you doing so if you haven't already check out my OWOH giveaway offering or the several other hundreds blogs on the list you still have 6 days to play, don't be shy say hi you never know you just might pick up some goodies along the way.

Until Next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~ Families

2011-02-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Big Families hubby comes from 9 me it was just my brother and I and the family I created with my husband is really small just us and our daughter a happy family of 3. So the idea of a big family is lost on me I can only go by the hubsters large clan and boy they was noisy. I know not all these families are big but anything over 3 is large for me.

Mom doesn't look much older than her eldest daughter, she probably started pretty young or she bathes in moisturizing cream, tubs of the stuff.

Poor Pa the only man among woman that must have been fun once a month.............
This is an extended family, the 3 lads in the back are the brothers of the man in the front, the bottom picture in this post is of them or at least some of them when they where younger. Wifey looks like she could hold her own with this lot, she looks like one tough broad.
Hubby and wife before kids with hubbies brothers, the young lad on the bottom right is a WW1 Canadian soldier my dad would know what rank and regiment he is good at that stuff (he is a retired military man himself) but I have know idea.
Same boys just way younger not sure thought if that is mom and dad they look very young so maybe just all siblings. I have more pictures of this family I should look and see if there are any names and find out who they all are.

Look at the hair on the fella in the back row 2nd from right now that is some sexy hair.

okay now I'm really curious going to hunt down the other photo's got to find more about this family.

Have fun with them Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

ONE WORLD ONE HEART Blog Giveaway~ Altered Book, Bling and Birds

2011-01-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Thank you all for taking the time out to visit me and my blog I have had so much fun and hope to continue making my way down the list to visit all those who stopped by that I missed. I wish I could have gifts for everyone but I'm only one person and so many of you stopped by I would be busy until the cows come home getting gifts out to everyone. So unfortunately there is only one name.

I decided to use my hubby for the random number pull it was less work and made him feel like he was part of the game after all I'm all about sharing the fun!!! Anywho I'm sure you just want the name so here I go Drum roll please.......................

And the winner is

"Kristin" of Twinkle Twinkle

Thank you again I had a blast hugs Deborah

Its that time againfor the One World One Heart blog giveaway event.
For those of you that have not heard of this the "One World One Heart"is a worldwide event for bloggers only. It gives all those who blog a chance to meet and mingle and form connections with those they may not have otherwise met from all over the world. In the past 4 years this event has grown to over 1,000 participants. Think of it as a GIGANTIC open house allowing you to travel without ever leaving your home seeing the wonderful blogs and fabulous people behind those blogs. As a bonus each blogger participant will offer up a "DOOR PRIZE" just for dropping by and saying hello and visiting their world.

The Rules

This event will run from Jan 30th midnight to Feb 17th 6:00pm I will announce the winner later in the evening of the 17th. All you have do to is leave a comment (please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you) on this post and you will be entered in my draw. Its that easy, this is an international event so everyone come on out and play.

What am I offering up for all your trouble, I'm glad you asked. All this handmade goodness and a few brand new store bought play things too. All the goodies you see here will head on to one lucky new friend. 2 hand decorated journals, 2 handmade necklaces and 3 new rubber stamps.

I'm suppose to tell you all a wee bit about myself so you can get to know me a bit better, but I've yet to discover just who I am. So if in this process of poking around The Land Of Nod you find out who I am can you please let me know it would be most helpful. I like to skip from one creative thing to another I play with paint and paper and scissors when I get bored with that I like to dig in my old glittery bling box and see what I can create by remaking new glitzy over the top jewels from old. Over the past 18 years I have given birth to many one of a kind mohair teddy bears, this is a long and painful process and getting more so as I get older, so not to many furry friends have emerged from the den in quite some time. Never one to let aches and pains get in my way I will resume my bear making some day or so I keep telling myself.

This is a 8.5 x 5.5 inch 110 page journal( blank unlined pages) I've hand decorated using antique book pages, paint, ink, image transfers (I altered an antique photo from my personal collection), decorative tissue, brass doodads and rubber stamps. This would make a wonderful art journal the pages are blank and sturdy great for mixed media. This is the front cover of the journal. As with the front the back of the journal has been hand decorated ,with the same materials except main image is a art reprint.
I painted the spine and added a metal finding which I have aged with a patina and added some Swarovski crystals to give it some sparkle. This journal is quite lovely in person if I can say so myself without coming of as to conceded, I'm very pleased how it turned out. This is a one of a kind original journal ready for you to add your personal touch.
Journal #2. I had my giveaway up and running for a few days when disaster struck I've even have a name for that disaster Stumpy (one of my fur babies). I found him high up on my book shelf tossing my giveaway offerings on the floor. All of which came down with a thud and to my dismay upon inspection found my journal with a broken spine. Yikes what to do when things have already gotten attention. First try and fix the problem I dug out my best glue and gave it a go. I think I have solved the spine problem but I know its not as good as it was when I posted my giveaway on the first day. So I've now added journal #2 to the mix, I will still send along the original journal to the winner but you will also receive journal #2. I have been franticly hard at work to get this done. The size and pages in this book are the same as the first one.

I'm really sorry about this I hope by adding another book to the mix makes up for the disappointment for those who have already left comments.

Like the original journal this one is all cut and paste, paint and lots of Swarovski crystals.

The front cover Back cover And the spine

When I'm not playing with paint you can find me tinkering with bling I love to take old antique/vintage pieces and give them new life.

I created this necklace using an antique shoe clip and old silver religious medal it measures apx 15 inches + a 2 1/2 inch pendant. I used black onyx beads, yellowfire agate beads, and antique black glass +sterling silver rosary beads. I wire wrapped the beads with sterling silver wire, and added a simple handmade sterling silver eye and hook closure for easy closing.The shoe clip is quite old and is missing some of the rhinestones they are very different and I wasn't able to find replacements.

Sorry the picture isn't great it is snowing and very gloomy out I did the best I could with the bad lighting. This necklace is very elegant and would look great with a dressy outfit but also could be worn with a tee shirt and pair of jeans too.
This is necklace #2 its more on the fun side, kind of steampunkish and would look great with a funky outfit. I created the pendant with an antique photo album latch added a hand hammered copper disk and placed a antique tin type photo of a cute wee guy inside the disc then added a bee and two tiny religious medals.

The necklace measures apx 16 inches + the 1 1/2 inch pendant. I created the chain with copper wire spirals, hand hammered copper discs, faceted black glass beads, bits of vintage chain and a simple copper wire eye and hook closure.

and last but not least 3 brand new Hampton art (Kolette Hall) wooden rubber stamps.

These are so cute and would add a wonderful touch to your mixed media art or scrap book art.

This has been the 3rd year I have participated in this event and each year I'm blown away by how many of you take the time out to stop bye for a visit.
I really enjoy meeting new folks and I can't wait to make my way down the list of participants and find some new friends along the way, I hope you will join me.

Take care and enjoy the ride while you travel down the One World One Heart

road Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~Boys will be Boys

2011-01-27T09:15:00.001-08:00

I wish to thank everyone for stopping by my blog and catching up on the goings on in the Nod, I really appreciate you all taking the time out to visit. Last weeks free altered photo's seemed to generate a lot of interest ( I posted on flickr too if you want the larger version you can find the altered kids on my flickr page) and I was asked by several people if I would be willing to explain how I achieve the altered look I get. I spend many hours per photo we're talken 2bl digit hours and by the time I am finished altering one photo it has traveled through many imaging programs sometimes I can use up to 4 different programs per old photo. So even If I wanted to ( sorry I'm not ready to spill the beans yet) I don't think I could explain the whole process. I'm terrible at keeping track of all the steps I do. I'm also still in the discovery mode when it comes to digital altering and stumble my way through things by playing and messing up as I go along. Maybe some time down the road I will share what little I know but for now I'm going to be selfish and keep this one a secret.

Here are some great young men for you to goof around with, don't be afraid to mess about and have fun see what you discover by playing around in the photo programs you have, I bet you will be able to make magic and transform these fellas into something spectacular.

This is young Loyd Hall he wrote his name on his photo so we would all know who he was. I'm not sure if he really could play that base but he looks darn cute holding it.
I know this image is quite blurry but the young lads looked like real trouble makers and could cause quite a ruckus if put to the test, I think they would look great used in a collage. Oh and the lad on the left looks a lot like my brother in law when he was a kid.

Such a serious face on the young man maybe being forced to wear a dress might be the cause of such a sour puss look.
The fashion of the day sailor suits for everyone, this little lad looks to cute for words. Some great old images to play with I know I'm going to mess about with a few of these photos and give these lads a whole new look. I hope you find time to play and create your own wonderful characters with these old time images.

Until till next time have fun Hugs Deborah

Altered Tin

2011-01-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

I just finished up my Altered Altoid tin for the mini card swap I'm part of. The tin will hold all my wonderful cards created for me by other players in the swap. My theme was steampunk, I know this fella has to many colours to be officially called steampunk but hey its my tin and I'll play steampunk how I want...........So there :)

This "Accurate Timekeeper" was created with one of my original faces from a 1892 magazine his body is bits and pieces of reprinted images I scanned from a vintage catalog. I painted the background and had one of those happy mistakes this isn't how I had planned on it turning out but now that its done I really like the results.

This is the side of the tin I just used and old music sheet. Now that I have my tin done I can't wait to get my cards from the other players to fill this puppy up, this has been a fun swap.

With this out of the way I can now concentrate on creating some goodies for the upcoming blog giveaway,Hmmmm what to make...........

Thanks so much for dropping in I Hope your day has been going well.

Until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~Altered Kids

2011-01-20T14:41:00.000-08:00

I enjoy altering old photo's on my computer, I feel adding some colour to the old black and white images brings them back to life. Of course I never do things normal I tend to go all out and create personalities that I'm sure don't come any way near who these folks where. I'm very fond of making men into dress wearing fellas or adding strange contraptions on the tops of dainty ladies heads, I guess Its my way of playing dress up.

These are a few cutie pie kids that I gussied up they are so much fun the more colour the better. I did not find the original images in my stash these are pilfered photo's I found on a creative commons site a while back I can't remember which site though, I guess I should keep better track.

I adore this fella oh my goodness what a face, and I thinks he looks rather dashing in his over the top suite.

I'm seeing a yellow pattern here I guess you can tell what my fav colour is.

Yup yellow again. I originally had a daisy crown on this princess but removed it so you could add your own topper, besides I hated to hide that amazing hair.
Not as many images as usual these altered guys take me quite some time to do so I don't have many on the go. I usually only gussy up the old folks when I have a project I'm working on. All these wee ones have been used in my art at some point but I can only use them so many times before I get board so I hope you can give them a knew identity and let them shine one more time before they are due to retire.

Thanks so much for coming by have a great Friday Until next time Hugs Deborah

New Journal

2011-01-20T14:21:00.000-08:00

I've started to decorate a new 5.5 x 8.5 inch journal this is the back cover. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the journal yet. If all goes as planed with the front this maybe one of my offerings for the OWOH blog giveaway coming up on Jan 30th it runs until Feb 17.
I have done this giveaway for a couple of years and have really enjoyed meeting new folks its also a great way to explore new blogs. As we near the big day I will have more info about the giveaway here on my bl0g.

Thanks for stopping by I hope you will come and join the fun when the OWOH giveaway finally kicks off. I will have a few things up for grabs not sure what but you can be sure they will all be created by moi. Until Next time take care Hugs Deborah

My final 3 altoid cards

2011-01-18T06:49:00.000-08:00

I finished up my last three cards for the Altoid tin swap. This swap was so much fun I like the small size of the cards though they really are not much smaller than an ATc.

Anywho here is my card For Astrid her theme was steampunk. I used a bunch of original images from one of my 1892 magazines to come up with this odd fella.

This card was created for Laura her theme was window/doors I used a photo I took of a church window from my village, and added lots of different paint.

And last but not least Roc's card the theme was things with wings and pointy hats. I wanted this to have a worn plastered wall feel to it so I used a stucco medium on the background to give it the look of an old wall.

My tin is ready and waiting all I need to do is figure out what I'm going to do with it, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by have yourselves a wonderful day

Until Next time Hugs Deborah

First ever journal page~ Yipee Look at me go!!!

2011-01-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

I have finally done it my very first journal page, Its only taken me about 20 years but I did it. This was kind of easy being that it is a prompt journal challenge which means someone else chooses the theme its all taken out of my hands. No humming and hawing what shall I do for my pages, makes the getting started all the more easier.

The first prompt was what colour makes you happy and for me yellow never fails to put a smile on my face. I used a photo I took of a door knob as my starting point and built on that. I know the page is kind of plain but the great thing is I can always add to it as I see fit. I'm already excited to see what the next prompt will be. I'm liking this journal thing so much I plan on making another one just for me to play in see if I can do it without the prompts.

The back cover of my journal I kept the theme pretty much the same as the front.
I've gone a bit wonky for this swap trying my hand at some funky folks. This is a small

card 2 x 3 1/4 it has to fit into an altered altoid tin. I haven't done my tin yet but have started on the cards. Each player gets to pick their theme and then we create cards for each player in that theme, I picked steampunk.

This is for Hope her theme was big eyed people. I gave this glam girl her big eyes via the computer then printed her out and the rest is hand painted.

This card is for Renee her theme was phrenology, it didn't turn out how I envisioned. I added the punk Mohawk as an after though wish I had gone brighter oh well maybe next time I'll get it right.
I have three more cards to go for this swap, being the lazy type I will do my tin last. I need to comb through my old books in search of the perfect steampunk fella I think I know just the right chap.

I'm having fun messing about the studio I just purchased some new blank journals to decorate I hope to put them in my etsy shop, but I'll have to see how they turn out first. Well I'm off in search of the perfect man you know for my steampunk tin...........

Until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~The last of my Civil war Folks

2011-01-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

Well this is the last of my civil war folks I've gone through everyone, the album is empty. Its back to rooting through boxes of images from here on out or until I find another wonderful album full of new folks.

This fella would be a shoe in for the Wolverine got to love those sideburns.

Very pretty lady with amazing hair I really like the styles they wore back then.

Look at that amazing necklace beautiful just beautiful.
again more amazing bling
Look at that hair I bet this lad could fly with those wings.

Well thats it hope you have enjoyed the old folks until next time

take care have a great Friday Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~Big Dresses

2011-01-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

Here are more of my Civil War ladies in their amazing dresses, or at least I think they are amazing. I wonder what colours they where I'm sure they all weren't drab brown as they appear this one I'll bet this dress was hot pink with lime green trim.

The ruffle piping on the sleeve of this dress is very similar to the dress above, these two must have shopped at the same general store.
Not the cleanest photo but WOW look at all that fabric all the better to hid a huge butt or another person for that matter.

Now here is a woman that has the been there done that look on her face nothing would impress this one. I wonder what the fan in her hand looked like when it was open.
I'm not sure what this lady has on her head but it looks like it's got her pretty miffed that is one sour puss you got going on. This photo is from Germany and you can see the difference in clothing styles very different from the other outfits, but same tired sad look on the face. I guess being a woman no matter what part of the world you lived was tiring.

I love the old images that show the outfits in all their glory sure makes me appreciate jeans and tee shirts. I would think lugging all that fabric around day in and day out would be exhausting no wonder every one looked so warn out.

Have a fun and happy day folks Until next time

Hugs Deborah

Fun and Funky Artzy Stuff

2011-01-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have been jumping in with both feet and joining up in more swaps than I can keep track of. I dug out my bright colours for these guys usually I stick with the browns and muted tones but its a new year so bring on the happy shades.

This is a 3 1/2 x 5 inch page for an ongoing monthly journal swap geared all around birds. I took artistic liberty and changed up the lyrics to The Doors tune When your Strange I think it suits these two just fine.

I created this Atc for a artist friend she wanted something with goldfish I'm sure this isn't what she had in mind but I'm an odd bird so what can you expect.

This Atc is for another ongoing monthly themed swap focusing on the Circus this months prompts was clowns.

My last 2 bird/egg atcs for another swap I'm in, I decided to toss out the tame and went searching for my inner freak and came up with these. My first card for the swap was pretty but boring I like these two much better.

I had fun with this challenge I'm really digging the Birdy theme, I might just have to do some feathered fellows for myself.
Thanks so much for stopping by it looks like the new year is marching in with lots of colour for me and so far it don't feel to bad and I kind of like it.

Until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday- Lavish Locks

2010-12-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

ladies and their lavish locks wow these are amazing hair styles those old time gals sure knew how to dress up their doo's. Here are more Civil war ladies with amazing outfits and wonderful hair styles.

Oh those sleeves I bet they got in the way of everything but what a wonderful dress!!!

What amazing bead work on this dress the detail is out of this world.
I'm not sure if this is a wedding veil or just a head scarf but the lace is beautiful.

Another up-do, love the stripes
The earing's on this gal are wow even in black and white they look fabulous.

Hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year
see you in 2011

Hugs Deborah

Art Journal

2010-12-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted to do an art journal, but for some reason I never seem to be able to make the first move. I spotted a challenge in one of the swap groups I trade in and it was the kick in the pants I needed to jump in the journal game with both feet. You see all the tough what do I put in my journal is taken out of the artists hands. This is a prompt journal the host will post a prompt each month and we the players get to interpret the prompt and create 2 pages around the theme, easy peasy is all I can say even I can do that. So I'm hoping with this push I just might start adding pages all by myself and finally do that art journal like I have always wanted.

I've gone as far as to decorate the front cover of my journal this is a small book 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 a nice size for a beginner like me. I still have the back to do but I already know what I want to do so that is half the battle. I'm really looking forward to this challenge and can't wait to get started.

This is a new ATC's I've done for a egg/bird swap in the same trade group that my journal challenge is in. Each card (3 cards in total) must have an image of an egg,bird and have the word egg somewhere on the card. I designed a few more egg houses for the other cards so all my cards with be along the same line as this one just with different houses and birds. I tried to keep things simple not to much fuss.
Well I'm off to work on my journal's back cover I'm enjoying the cover decorating so much I might make a few journals for my etsy shop. I love doing the covers its the insides I have trouble with. I'll keep you posted with any new journal developments, until next time take care Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~Ye olden days

2010-12-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some more photo's that came from the album I purchased recently, I believe these are all from around the Civil War era. This dress looks straight out of Gone With The Wind, it must have been a pain to move around in but oh how lovely you would look doing so.

And I thought only young girls wore ringlets

I wonder if this lady was a kind grandma or a Stern nanny, I'm going with kind she looks like a gentle soul to me she has soft eyes, but then again that could just be old age.
Love the dress and that chair!!! I bet it would be worth a pretty penny if you had it today.

Wow look at those stripes on her sleeve I wonder what rank they put her at, I'll bet general she looks very capable of running a troop.
This wee one is kind of scary might just be the dress but he/she looks creepy to me.
I'm still in the cleaning process and have quite a few more photo's to tidy up I will share them as I make my way through the pile.

Take care everyone and have a safe and joyous holiday

until next time hugs Deborah.

Goth Girl ATc's

2010-12-18T03:16:00.000-08:00

Three Atc's I did for a goth girl swap,I tried something new with these cards. My drawing skills are non existent so I cheated and did paint overs. I Used a very faint image then added colour or in this case not so much colour because I wanted these gals to have that ghostly walking dead feel to them after all they are suppose to be Goth. I like this technique I need to brush up on my colouring skills but I will definitely be using this method in more of my stuff.

Thanks for stopping by until next time hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday~Kids from the past

2010-12-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

The album I purchased a few weeks ago arrived and I'm thrilled with all the wonderful photo's it contains. Its full of kids and pretty ladies I think there where 42 photo's in all and only 3 men in the whole bunch. Most of the photo's appear to be from the civil war era and are in amazing shape, this has been one of the best purchases I have made in a long time.

Anywho here are some of the kids, I didn't crop out the bottom of the photo I liked the hand writing and it lets you know who this wee one is.

Look at that hair and who says the Mohawk is just for mod punk rockers, proves nothing is new in fashion its all been done before.

A very lovely young lady the lace around her neck is amazing.
Another pretty young lass again nothing is new in fashion I used to wear my hair just like that when I was a young girl and I thought I started it all.

This little guy is from Germany and his name is on the back of the photo. I can't quite make out the writing, I think it is Fro Boules Seitz. I love the boots.
I've got lots of work ahead of me scanning and cleaning these new photo's up, wait until you see the ladies and their amazing dresses. Until next time have fun with these youngins Hugs Deborah

4 x 4 collour challenge last pages

2010-12-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

I just finished my last 2 pages for the 4x4 colour challenge I'm participating in (I have to use the colours yellow/gold, orange,turquoise/teal). I used some of my own photo's on these just like my first page. I also used paint and old book pages, this page is called

Finding my Way Home.

"Things We Left Behind", I used a photo I took of an old abandoned house and a reprint of an antique photo from a CC site, paint and old book pages for this page.

I really like this colour palette I think I will do some canvas with these colours. Of course I will post here when I do. Thanks for stopping by hope your having a wonderful creative day. Until next time Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday-The Mixer

2010-12-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

I just found these photo's while cleaning out some of my folders filled with old papers, I usually keep all my pictures in boxes but these where to large to fit in a box. I guess thats way I forgot all about them never thought to look in the folders, I wonder what else I might be hiding in there.

I know this photo is in really bad shape but I love this image looks like folks from the old west a rough bunch I might add. On the back everyones names are listed, first off is the men from left to right we have Charley, Pete, Dick and Everett.

The ladies they give both first and last name from L-R we have Ester Mathews,Dora Homer,Julia Alice, and last but not least is Maud Crawford.

I know its hard to see this ( so I scanned just the window part of the picture) in the bottom part of the left hand window there is a faded face of what looks like a child, the only altering of this photo I did was to adjust the contrast and brightness. I never added anything this image could be mearly a reflection or someone in the house looking out or maybe a visitor from behyond.........I'll let you be the judge, I'm going with the beyond theory cause I love a good ghost story.

Spooky or what............

Wow what a happy wee one look at that grin what a sweet baby. Big sis sure has a lot of added waight to cary around with that bow. Why its bigger than her head it must be pulling on her scalp cause she has that pinched are you kidding me kind of look.
This fella kind of looks like an old boy friend I had when I was a teenager what a cutie.
This photo was pretty messed up but I did my best to tidy it up and make it presentable, I think her face would make a great zetti face.

Another cutie she is not completely in focus but to cute to pass up, I did my best to clean her up but ya can only do so much with blurry.

I guess I should tidy up more often I never know what I might find in my studio I just might have a few bars of solid gold lying around in that mess.

Have fun with these folks until next time hugs Deborah

New Art Challenge

2010-12-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

I've signed up for a new art challenge in a group I'm just starting to play in. I've been a member for years but just recently joining more swaps. This is page one I need to do 3 in all they are 4x4 inches and the theme is a colour challenge. You can only use the colours yellow, orange, gold, teal or turquoise as the main colours. I did this page with a photo I took of an old crypt door and then added old book pages, paint and decorative napkins and a few rub ons, chaulk and some ink to I think.

I have several pictures I took of doors (I just love doors) I think I will use them and make this all about doors. I might even do some canvases with a door theme, will have to see if I actually do it or not. Of course I'll post here if I do.

Have a wonderful day folks until next time Hugs Deborah

Atc's and Yup more Tags

2010-12-04T03:05:00.000-08:00

By the looks of it you would think all I create is tags but you would be wrong. Sometimes in between pumping out art tags I manage to create other stuff too. I'm in a on going swap called Sacred Relics and this months theme was Madonna and Child. Like all the other Atc's in the Sacred Relic swap the cards need to have that old warn been kicked around a few times look to them. For my 3 cards I used a 2 part crackle medium to give them the look of the old paintings.

This card I did a gel transfer which I usually have some success with, but for some reason the transfer tore in many places. Despite this I kind of liked how the less than perfect image looks like a mural painted on a old plaster wall.
I forget how much I like the look of the cracks I'm all about old and worn and there is nothing like cracks to give the feel of time. I should use this stuff more often.

This card was for a Match up swap we where given a swap partner and they gave us clues to things they liked then we had to create a ATC incorporating those idea's. My Partner mentioned she liked the Book The Yellow Wall Paper, this is an image of the author and the yellow swirly background is from the cover of the book. I'm not sure if I truly capture the idea but my partner seemed to like what I had done.

Okay I know your all probably getting sick and tired of seeing my tags but I can't help myself.

More Winter Birds this time I did them on larger tags

Faces From the Past Pretty Ladies in the Pink.
I really like doing these so I plan on doing a whole series of them, after all I do have a whopper of a collecion of old photo's at my disposal. Though These ladies did came from a CC site, I just can't seem to resist a pretty face and the more images I have the better.

Faces From the Past Pretty Ladies- Peachy
Faces From the Past wee ones- I used smaller tags for this set I let the kids faces do the talking and used less in the background I didn't want to distract from these sweet babes.
All My new tag sets can be found in IN MY ETSY SHOP

I'm having to much fun with these so I hope I'm not boring y'all with them cause there will be more.

Until Next time have a wonderful day Hugs Deborah

Free Photo Friday-Fun ads from 1892

2010-12-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

I thought this week I would share some original fun ads from "The Review of Reviews" published in 1892 simultaneously in New York as well as London. Information the publisher thought was important and wanted us to know. I bought several of these magazines a few weeks ago at a rinky dinky flea market the kind of place you always find something interesting. The magazines are loaded with illustrations and news of the day. Each one has a huge advertising section with some really fun ads boy they sure didn't practice political correctness back then. If your wondering what the heck am I suppose to do with these, I use them as back drops for a lot of my collage work gives my work that old feel.

Dr. Wilbor's cold liver oil turns out it can be taken with pleasure by delicate persons and children and after using it they become very fond of it. Well if that doesn't make me want to go out and buy a gallon of the stuff ASAP!!!!

I wonder if they ever heard of PETA.....

now doesn't that look oh so comfy
Safe food for Invalids you say and its unrivaled in the sick rooms, I'm wondering if that is because that is all ya get to eat when your a invalid in a sick room. You have nothing to compare it to.
Okay so I'm suppose to put this stuff in my hanky while I'm on the toilet,or is it the bath I'm kind of confused.

Wow now this is what every modern house needs to have, a earth closet

look honey I got you that invalid chair on wheels for your birthday just like you wanted. Happy 30th dear.........OMG is this for real

I'm sure glad they informed me that these pills do not contain any poison, cause I hate when I get home from the druggiest and find out my pills have poison in them that just ruins my day. I think you can still get these pills but you have to buy them from a sketchy dude who likes hang out on the street corner, I think its called SPEED!!!! 15 pounds a month thats crazy talk....
I guess they didn't have spell check way back then and your average ad writer didn't need schooling to write ads. "If your dealer don't keep it, send us a dollar and we'll mail you a pair. "I think the word should have been dosen't.....DUH
I used to use this perfume when I was a teenager the bottle looked old back then and I think that is one of the reasons why I liked it.
I hope you enjoyed these ads I laughed out loud when I read a few of them they are priceless, and great to use in your art.

I just purchased a antique photo album full of old photo's that look to be around the Civil War era I can't wait until it arrives, then I'll have some new and exciting images to share.

Take care Until next time Hugs Deborah.