Metamorphosis

Update on Friend

 Recent photo of my DH-Tom, me and Karl who had a massive stroke last year at 48.  Just to show you all that miracles do happen!  The doctors counted him off and we were planning his funeral.  He now can see out of one eye (cried like a baby after surgery!) and may regain sight in his other eye, as it is now starting to track with his other eye (blood had backed up into his optic nerve during stroke.)  He has regained all his past memories and sometimes has trouble with short term.  He walks with a cane, but walking is improving also.

I know he is a miracle, as I was an intensive care RN for over 20yrs. and never saw such a remarkable recovery.  Thanks to all that had our 'friend' in your thoughts and prayers! ~Lou

Out of the Box Surprise!

 Very pleased to be selected for the first Cloth, Paper, Scissors calendar to come out this Fall.  The contest was to make an artwork conveying an image of, "Life is Just a Box of...."  Mine has to do with 'quilt squares,' as I have many of my grandmother's quilts, and they always remind me of my ancestors.  They, of course, are kept carefully wrapped in tissue in several boxes.  This image shows just a portion of  the piece.  Thanks to all that voted for me at the Chicago quilt show!   ~Lou

 

 

Donate To JoAnnA Pierotti's Cause

 Please click on this 'chip in' to donate to dear JoAnnA Pierotti's friends' fund for her husband who has been diagnosised with a massive brain tumor and no health coverage at this time.  If you cannot donate, please send their family prayers and healing hugs to JoAnnA.  Thank you~ Lou  http://ronpierotti.chipin.com/ron-pierotti

JoAnnA's blog with information about her struggles:

http://mosshill.blogs.com/

Canvas Fun

 I have been playing with canvases ever since I bought the book, 'Canvas Remix' by Alisa Burke.  I have done a lot of canvases before, but this book brought back that medium as a fun surface.  After adding gesso to the surface, I used stencil paints to add texture.  Also my caran d'arche crayons, pens and charcoal, sealed with fixative.  It measures about 6" x 12".  Have you seen the new 'corner' canvases?  I think one will be my next purchase!~Lou

Getting Back to My Roots

Trying to get back to my art school roots, by going back to sketching.  Here is a sketch of my Gramma, who loved poppies.  Also some recent ATCs that I may take to Artiscape this next weekend. ~Lou

So Pleased....and Honored!

My entries for the Quilting Arts Cloth, Paper, Scissors Calendar of 2010 are some of the finalists!  If you are attending the quilting art festivals, would appreciate your consideration for a vote.  My pieces are: A Box of Quilt Squares and A Box of Snapshots.  The event looks like a lot of fun! ~Lou

  http://quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/MIU2009.html

The Key to Inspiration

 

I just finished a charity piece for "Artiscape" this April in Columbus, Ohio.  If you are attending Artiscape, you can bid on this 12" high piece with vintage images on all sides. It is called, "Mind Your P's and Q's." The roof is an old school book, another book on front, several keys, brass lock, two ceramic letter balls, branch, etc.  Hand painted and sealed, signed.  ~Lou

Happy Swing!

 

Happy Spring.......er......Happy Swing!  Now it actually hasn't shown up yet in Ohio, but it is better than up East.   I hope you up-Easterners have electric blankets!

I have been trying to do small art projects, as ATCs and some Easter themes.  I tried to put images on wooden eggs and found the best way is to print images on tissue paper and then decoupage them in place.  I also made our paper shredder make bird nests!  You just put in some old text, form a nest and glue.  Now the gluing part is not an easy task.  If anyone has a non-messy way of doing this, please comment!  I have glue up to my eyeballs!!!!  ~Lou

These Sheets are Great!

 

My good friend, Dawn Burrows, has some awesome stamp sheets available for $15 each for a 6"x9" sheet. There are fun designs of "Family Stories" (school, bird on fence, fence, gate, frog, children) and "Hopes & Dreams" (window, ABC boy, log cabin, star girl, Hope, vintage girl with heart.) These are on thick, heavy rubber! Contact Art Girl Designs: dtindal@roadrunner.com

 

MY HEART FOR YOU!

My fabric lid of my twelve inch heart box exchange is made from an old quilt piece, vintage button , sari ribbon and an image of an old valentine printed on canvas.  It is filled with lots of goodies in paper candy wrappers and silk bags.  Hope she likes it!~Lou

Think Spring/ Plan Ahead!

  Hope you are surviving

the winter months with hope in your heart.  I have been making valentine's day swaps, even though no one has committed to them yet! I have to keep busy or I go bonkers. I have a manuscript that I work at least 10 mins. a day on, and then I do an art project that makes me feel good.  The 10 mins. is the hardest part, but I have been sticking to it since the 1st of January.

As far as art classes, I am taking two classes by Amy Flowers this weekend- one using old postcards and the other making a shrine.  They will be at a local stamp store and also plan to stop at a Polish bakery, Bead Paradise store in Oberlin and my favorite Thai restaurant.  So much for my weight loss plans and cutting back on buying.  But I will be with great friends, so that's the biggest plus!

I am sick of ice and think maybe I should enter the local ice-carving contest to get a grip on it.  Not really- would rather snuggle in my electric-blanket, reading the latest art magazines! ~Lou