Friday, March 29, 2013

Spring?

Dyan Reaveley
I took this shot Monday afternoon. It is now Friday, and all but a few little piles of snow are gone. The high today will be 55, and it is most welcome. Had enough of cold, snow, and ice. It's time to clean up the yard and trim back plants. Unfortunately, no one has told that to Mother Nature. We have a chance for snow flurries next week. What???

This is another canvas I finished last week. The design in the upper left hand corner is molding paste that I tinted with red ink, then spread over a plastic stencil to achieve that shape. I let it dry overnight, then realized that the entire canvas was too pink. So I ran a stamp wheel over it that left the black dots, and spread a little white paint here and there. It's all good.

I am very excited about an adventure happening in two weeks. Yesterday, while surfing the net, I found that one of our favorite designers/artists was going to be in Moline, IL. on April 12th and 13th. When I called The Scrapbooking Studio, they told me that yes, there were still openings in the classes. I booked the 2 Saturday classes. The designer is Dyan Reaveley, and if you are into art journaling, you probably know who this is. She developed the Dylusions line with Ranger products. Ms. Reaveley is from northern England, so going to Moline is the closest I am personally going to get to her. Can't wait!!! I just know these classes are going to be beyond fun.

Have a wonderful, warm weekend.
Linda

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

The Day After

The sun is shining bright. It's 38 degrees, and the snow is melting. This is a very good thing.

By last night, Jake had had his fill of the heavy wet stuff. Poor little guy. The snow sticks to his legs, as in this photo.
So Jake is on the deck, watching his sister who loves to run in the snow and was trying her best to have Jake chase her. Gracie wiggled her butt, barked, and made a complete pest of herself. Jake wasn't having it.
It occurred to me that this time last year, I had already planted the pussy willow tree, trimmed the grasses back that were turning green at their bases, and cleaned up the yard. I have a feeling it will be awhile yet before those chores are repeated.

Onward: while trapped in the house with the dogs, I did a few more canvases. Telling ya, this mixed media thing is soooooo addictive!


The girl is on a 4x12 inch canvas. The house is on a 6x6. I have been trying to challenge myself to work with different sizes. That changes your perspective and proportions. Really liking the odd sizes.

Hope your week is going well. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda

Monday, March 25, 2013

Only in the Midwest




And it's still coming down. The "historic" spring snow storm will last throughout the day. Oh, wonderful!

The dogs love to play chase in the deep snow, and have already been out. I had to clear the deck off because I could barely get the back door open to let them out. I will have to clean it again. We are in for the day.

I'm sure I'll have more pics tomorrow. Hope you are safe. We are indeed.
Linda

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Uh Oh!

I took this shot of Coal about 10 days ago at the dog park. It was a chilly and very windy afternoon, and we stayed only about an hour. Needless to say, Coal loves the cold. With a coat made for the water, he doesn't mind getting wet. Mine, on the other hand, have a different idea.
Jake doesn't have the thick coat of Coal or Gracie. He loves the park, smelling all the different dogs that have been before him, lifting his leg on everything to mark that HE has been there, but when he gets cold, it's time to leave.

Our forecast is for heavy snow this weekend, and into Monday. Looks like our play will be limited to the backyard. That's okay. 20 minutes of play in the heavy white stuff, and they are ready to come in for a treat, and a nap.

Life of a dog. Wish I had it.
Linda

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

When the weather is rotten...


I accomplished a lot yesterday. The weather forced us to stay indoors. It was just too damn cold for the dog park or a walk. The dogs played a bit in the house, then napped. And I got to play in the studio.

I'm not sure if the top canvas, FLY, is done. Can't decide, so I propped it up against the wall and will let it grow on me. The bottom canvas with the sunflowers is complete. Underneath the flowers are old book pages, and I wanted them to show through. I made the flowers from scrapbook paper. Having too much fun with these, and it is now an addiction.

It appears this will be another day in the house. The winds are howling, and wind chill is in the teens. Come on, Spring. Show yourself!

Linda

Monday, March 18, 2013

Where is Spring?


We had a mix of sleet and rain last night. The deck is covered in slippery stuff. This is not good.

The dogs were roaming the house yesterday afternoon, so we headed to the dog park for a short run. Short it was. Winds whipping out of the north made it feel much colder than the 35 degrees it was. The sun didn't peak out until much later in the day.

To two spoiled brats who were used to being walked on a daily basis, and sometimes getting 1 to 2 hours of the dog park on top of that, this is hard to take. The cold, damp weather is hell on my back. I haven't walked them in over a month, because the last time I tried it, we almost didn't make it back to the car. My legs gave out. On the few days we've had 50's and 60's this year, the pain and discomfort disappears, and I can walk. But the forecast this week is for snow showers - on the first day of Spring. Dang.

Once the warm weather begins, we will start the drought again. The weather people are already forecasting it.

Makes you wonder.
Linda

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Guilty

How do they always know when something is up? I haven't even removed the suitcase from the closet, yet they are both walking around, heads down, looking at me with those pathetic eyes. "You're leaving us, aren't you, mom?"

Makes me feel like crap.

I am going to the south suburbs of Chicago today, but waiting out the salt trucks. We had half an inch of snow last night, and the  pavement was just cold enough to cause major road problems. Fortunately I am in no rush to get there, the event is not until tomorrow morning, so I can turn this into a leisurely drive. Sounds like that's the only way I'll get there.

An ambush is called for: decided that the day would be very long with all 3 dogs in the house. My friend, Carol, is coming to take care of my dogs with her Newfie, Coal. Carol is currently working from home, and if she is to get any work done the dogs will need to be occupied. So I am dropping them off at Puppy Playground for half a day. When Carol picks them up this afternoon is when it will dawn on them that a trick was played.

I'm sure I'll  pay for this when I come home tomorrow night. Trust me.
Linda

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A tired pup


Jake loves to play, but doesn't always have the stamina that Gracie does. He just wears out faster. Yesterday, both dogs went to Puppy Playground for a half day of play. That is 6 full hours. I love it. You have no idea how much I love it, when the weather is wet, cold, just not good enough to take them to the dog park.

I arrived at the Playground to pick them up around 4pm. As always, they were both excited to see me. Jake in particular wanted to climb up into my arms. I even got a kiss. Then the employee told me that for the last hour, Jake was fighting to keep his eyes open. He would sit down, eyes at half mast, and then hear something that caught his interest and be off to investigate.

He fell asleep in the car. The ladies that work there love both dogs, but I think my little terrier mix has a special place in their hearts.

Life is good.
Linda

Monday, March 11, 2013

Rainy Monday

It's misty type rain. I'm thinking this would be a good day for the dogs to go to Puppy Playground. Wear their little butts out.

I think it's cruel of Mother Nature to tease us with a Sunday that had spotty sun and temps in the high 60's, then turn around and kick our butts with the possibility of snow showers on Monday night. The birds are chirping in the mornings, and my maple trees have buds. Dang, Ma Nature, it's spring!

Cathy and I did the same practice canvas off of one posted by Christy Tomlinson on youtube without knowing we were each working on this same concept. Thought I'd post these so you can see the difference in our styles. I like them both. Just find it fascinating we have a different approach.

This is mine. The fence is made of scrapbook paper, then painted.

This is Cathy's. The fence is painted. Can you tell that pink is her favorite color?
We are doing another challenge. Her niece, Ally, has been asked to prom and just got a dress. It is a princess style, so Cathy made a sketch to use as the basis for a canvas, then asked me about background. We disagree on what will show up the color of the dress, so I finally texted her to do it her way, and I'll do it mine. The game is on.......

Have a peaceful Monday.
Linda

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Beating the rain


We're bored mom. There's nothing to do, mom.

Sometimes the dogs are just like little kids. I know when they need to get out and play or run, because they will literally follow me around the house with these pitiful looks on their faces. We have rain coming in that is to last for the next 36 hours, so I hustled them out this morning for a good run at the dog park. It worked. Both are now sleeping.


I thought you might like to see a few of Cathy's mixed media canvases as well. I love these two. They are so bright and full of life. Even though we are basically doing the same thing, using the same materials, our styles are very different. I think Cathy is more of a fashion designer than I am. That might be the result of living with her 17 year old niece, who is, of course, always on top of the latest colors and styles. What 17 year old isn't?

All of our canvases are now on display at Allyscraps, the scrap book store that Cathy owns. We are trying to get some interest going, and I think it's working. Classes should be scheduled within the next week or two. If you look closely, the backgrounds to both of her creations are bits and pieces of scrapbook paper. I was using pattern pieces, book pages, and paint on mine because I had a hard time getting the scrapbook paper to adhere. Then Cath told me I wasn't using enough Mod Podge. I am a frugal crafter, if nothing else. Since I started to do it her way, I too am only using paper for the backgrounds. Love it.

Have a great day.
Linda

Saturday, March 9, 2013

It's a dog Saturday

Do you want something?

Trying to sleep here, mom!

You woke me up!!

Do you see anything? No, do you? No. Let's bark anyway.

Cathy and Linda
For the first time in months, we are going sheep herding. This should be interesting.

I have denied Gracie this privilege since the cold weather settled in due to my spine problems. The damp, invasive cold does a real number on my spinal stenosis. It's hard enough standing up in muck, trying to guide your dog without having your legs go numb and give out. So we have stayed home. But the temperature is going up into the 50's today, the sun will be out, and we're going. Besides, this is lambing season. Might be a little early, but the birthing usually spreads over several weeks. I absolutely love seeing the babies.

Cathy did the canvas of the two of us. There is suppose to be this saying on it as well: They evolved together. Let me translate that for you: they both went off the cliff on mixed media canvases, spending way too much money on supplies together, and egged each other on. But all of that wouldn't fit on the canvas. Ya gotta laugh. Ya gotta smile. It's the only way to get through this life.

Have a good one.
Linda

Friday, March 8, 2013

I am awful!

Just have to get better at this! I keep saying to myself that I must post on the blog today. And it's not like I don't have things to talk about, or photos to post. Life seems to get in the way, and dang, another week passes.

Thinking that maybe I have Attention Deficit Disorder going on. Ya gotta laugh. The month of January I was sewing and stuffing dolls and bunnies like everyone in the area was going to want an item. Then I took one class in mixed media canvas, and here we are. Addicted. Cathy and I think we should start a 12 step group for this particular addiction. We keep ordering more classes online, ordering more supplies, and it just snowballs. But having a whole lot of fun in the process.

This is a canvas with a story:
It is 12x12 inches. I started by affixing scrapbook paper pieces with Mod Podge. Then I used a paint brayer to add some paint to the papers and sides. Next came the stamps. And, oh yeah, the Beatles logo and a photo from 1964.

When the Beatles invaded America, we (my friends and I) were sophomores in high school. We were all total Beatlemanics. Magazines, bubble gum cards, records, concert tickets, you name it, we did endless hours of babysitting to obtain what we wanted. So the Beatles are entwined in our own personal histories and growth.

Fast forward: my friend Pat is having some serious health issues. I am driving up to the south suburbs of Chicago this week to take her for a surgical procedure. She is nervous, scared, and needs some cheering up. Nothing, but nothing in the world cheers up Pat like the Beatles (or maybe her cats).
Paul was then and is now her favorite Beatle. And All My Loving is one of her favorite songs.

THIS was our universe in high school. Not proms, or dating, or the drama of boys. Well, maybe a little. Our world was the Beatles.

And trust me, we would do it all over again. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda