Happy Ampersand

I added purple dots to the ampersand.  

It looks happy now and I really like it!

Many Smiles,

D~~~~

Absence and an Ampersand

I cannot believe that it's been so long since I last posted!  There has been a lot going on so I haven't been able to do much creating.  I've missed it, and am trying to get back in the groove.

One of the things that kept me busy was that hubby and I were on a quest to find our first ever RV.  We were either on the go or the Internet before finally finding the one that makes our heart go pitter patter.  We both love it!

If you'd like to see it, click here to view pictures of it on my Smiles For Many Miles blog. It just occurred to me that because of the name, that blog will be perfect for posting our RV adventures too.  (It originated as a spin off of a newsletter that I did for family and friends.)  Many of our travels will be weekend trips around Texas and Oklahoma for now but there will be times when we can take off.  I look forward to it all!

Now for something artsy.  This dark blue ampersand is sitting on my worktable.  I got it at a nearby antique mall.  

I didn't like the color and it was much 

too dark for the wall I have in mind.

I collaged it with dictionary pages, and 

painted it with diluted acrylic paint.

I like it much better but I'm trying to decide if I want to add three fairly large, dark purple dots down the center or perhaps I should call it done. The dots would match the wall it's going on.  

Any thoughts?

Have a fabulous day!

Tootles All,

D~~~~

What If?

In the February/March issue of Quilting Arts Magazine, they announced a "What If?" challenge where participants were to make a 12"x12" art quilt based on our "what if" curiosities. For the challenge, I made this art quilt named "What If I Could Sing?".

I wasn't picked as one of the challenge finalists but I'm am positive that I was next in line! Tee-hee! I had fun making it though, and that's all that really matters.  It's all about the joy of the process for me!

The dress was Mondo inspired (from Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars), and is made of burlap, dryer sheets and fabric. The bird, my favorite part, is needle felted with various yarns and has a sequin eye, Mizuhiki legs, and a mini decorative Christmas light ornament for a beak. She's a yellow warbler.

Miss Wobbles loves her close up shot!

It's all on canvas and the window is a separate piece of canvas. The floor and microphone are fabric with the exception of some rick rack as you can see. The wall is painted and reminds me of snowflakes which is not surprising since I always have snow on the brain! I foresee more snowy visions in the near future too since the temps are already in the 90's here in north Texas leading me to believe we're in for one very long, and overly hot summer!   

I have always wished that I could sing but as the saying goes, I can't carry a tune in a bucket.  Frankly, I wouldn't be able to carry one in a change purse! Or a thimble!

I always belt out rockin', country or bluesy tunes in my mind though. They are show stoppers too but it's the singing out loud part that seems to be a huge problem. I sound like a cross between a cricket, a donkey, and very old windshield wiper blades.

I usually sing in the car but I confess that I have an increasing fear that I am going to cause a massive, multi-car pileup even with the windows up! I am certain that my voice is beginning to rust the entire car from the inside out, and I'm convinced that the engine is slowly melting. I just know that it will soon die forever and ever if I keep subjecting it to my vocal vibrations!

I have considered singing in the shower but I'm sure the water would freeze in mid-stream and who needs that! Or possibly the water would rapidly ricochet like bullets off the walls, back and forth, back and forth, up and down, up and down.  My life could be in peril folks!

I tried taking my voice into a Jiffy Lube and Tune shop for a Tune Up and they looked at me like I was loony.

So I sang!

Every employee quit!

I won't do that to those poor people again!

I guess I'll just suffer in singing silence.

Have a great day my friends!

Tootles All,

D~~~~

For the Birds

Isn't this a cute little birdhouse?

We purchased it at Hobby Lobby.

I love the faucet!

I think it needs some 

further embellishment though.

Tootles,

D~~~~

Freedom

This is a project I recently completed entitled Freedom because I felt so free while painting it!

Acrylic paints, ink, white Signo pen, lock washers, machine stitching, and ribbon were used.  The substrate is a 12" x 16" canvas, rotary cut with a decorative blade, and mounted on 1/8" thick birch board.  At least, I think it's birch but I need to ask my DH because I can't remember.  He helped me select it.

I finally figured out how to remove the background!  This is much better than my previous attempts but I need to perfect it.

Tootles All,

D~~~~

I Won!

Leslie McNeil is a blogger from Great Falls, Montana. Not long ago, I discovered her blog, and I have been following her ever since!  Leslie recently had a give away on her blog, and I won a very cool pin/brooch!

It arrived in this Dayspring Greeting
card (cool piano), and there's a
wonderful Max Lucado quote
on the front.  I love him! 

My photo is not the best so in 

case you can't read it, it says:  

There are things only you can do, 

and you are alive to do them. 

In the great orchestra we call life,

you have an instrument and a song

and you owe it to God to 

play them both sublimely.

The pin is 3" x 3", and as you 

can see below, it's very cute!  

The colors are very much ME!

I love it and look forward to wearing it! 

The pin is attached so that it can 

be worn in this direction.

 Perfect!

I suppose it can be worn other ways 

but I like the way Leslie attached it,

and I will wear it that way.

Here is the link to Leslie's blog: 

 MarveLes Art Studios.

If you like this pin as much as I do, 

you will love her blog!

Thank you so much Leslie, 

and many blessings to you!

Tootles For Now,

D~~~~

New Project Materials

I'm starting an art quilt for the "What If?" Reader Challenge in Quilting Arts Magazine.

I'll start with canvas, burlap, 

and these colorful dotted fabrics.

Oh and these painted dryer sheets.

Of course, that's the plan right now but materials

and ideas can be altered at any time.

Yes, it's been known to happen.

Does it ever happen to you?

Tootles My Creative Friends,

D~~~~