Sunday, May 31, 2015

Life on the Coast


"26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waiting for me", 
wonderful trip back in 2004.  We had a blast!

Friday, May 29, 2015

Favorite Toy Friday


My doll house!  I was 7 almost 8 the Christmas I found this in the Sears wish book and then under the tree.  This was a little before the cowboy and civil war sets.  I loved rearranging the rooms and making up stories for the doll house family.  Mine was the one on the right - The Colonial Mansion.  Lots of prime playtime and make-believe! Definitely one of my favourite childhood memories.


Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Fonts and Typography


 Have been trolling faceBook, Pinterest and my saved files
looking for cool fonts and typography.



From stenciled numbers and letters on weathered wood...


...to fancy 1890's photo backings,


to the latest in bicycle fashions!


Old tickets always have a plethora of
 interesting numbers and font choices.



If you go searching the web for this type (ha-ha!)
of ephemera, don't get lost in there!  There's so much to find!


Monday, May 25, 2015

Decoration Day


A House Divided  10x8"

Decoration Day received its name from the laying of flowers on the graves of the fallen soldiers during the Civil War.

In 1868 General John A.Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" should be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle.
The northern states quickly adopted the holiday; Michigan made "Decoration Day" an official state holiday in 1871 and by 1890 every northern state followed suit.
The earliest Confederate Memorial Day celebrations were simple, somber occasions for veterans and their families to honor the day and attend to local cemeteries. At its Decoration Day on April 25, 1866, Columbus, Mississippi commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.
Following WWI, Decoration Day became Memorial Day and has been ever since a day to honour all those who have served in the military.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Art in the Park



Hard to believe that it's already time for Art in the Park Where does the time go?


We'll be there checking out the art, buying a few presents
 (early start on Christmas) and talking to old friends.


Check out the art scene in your area - lots of 
festivals and shows on this holiday weekend.


Thursday, May 21, 2015

Carry On!


The art table is crowded with supplies and ephemera 
not only for my current daily journal...


...but for the lastest altered book also.



A time when I could use a bit more table top!


It's a good thing I like to clean up as I go along 
or this could be a disaster in the making! 


I'll keep you posted about the progress on both pieces!


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Next Project - Just Getting Started


 This one of those projects that I've wanted to do for years.


A very oversized book covered with  very small frames.


I've been collecting the frames for years 
at treasure sales, flea markets, swap meets, 
garage sales and antique street fairs.


There will be a myriad of steps to this altered book, including searching out the ephemera scraps to go behind the frames, affixing everything...  I plan to take out most of the inside pages, make 6 to 8 spreads and filll them with abstract collage.


Not sure if I'll do two books or not - 
we'll see how the first one goes.
It feels good to finally start on this 
piece after all these years.


Sunday, May 17, 2015

Life ona Different Coast (England)

Low Tide - Kirsty Elson

Lovely seaside creations, made from found 
driftwood and ocean detritus by English 
mixed media artist Kirsty Elson.  Definitely 
a different coast!

Friday, May 15, 2015

Favourite Toy Friday


Two of my all time favourites, my glove and 
my Louisville Slugger bat.  Both of which I still have.


 I would spend hours every evening  and weekends during baseball season 
 in the backyard and at the ball park.  Working on my swing, playing catch, with friends
 or by myself with the Pitch-Back.  I was a baseball fanatic and followed every Dodger game.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Peeling Paint



I found this wall of peeling paint layers in Graton  near the Pacific
 coast, about an hour above San Francisco


I loved all the layers and colours.


If I squinted my eyes I could almost picture old circus
 posters and Mail Pouch ads.


Beautiful textures as well!


Monday, May 11, 2015

Starting on the Cover



Working on the cover...


 Adding gears, compass dials,



and an interesting button I unearthed a few days ago.



Might add a few more touches before it's done.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

11 Wonderful Years


Our 11th anniversary today. Thank you Margot
 for bringing magic to my life!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

First Few Pix

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The first few pix from the new journal pages. 
Have several ideas for the cover, that I will 
work on in the coming week or so.


Having fun adding ephemera, adding my daily thoughts,
and advancing the story of the Steampunk Postal Boys/




Had a good tme yesterday creating this bookmark for the journal, 
using Tim Holtz Distress inks, stains, rub-ons and rubber stamps.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Life on the Coast


Beautiful Bougainvillea, in front of the Granada Theatre,
 State Street, Santa Barbara.


Friday, May 1, 2015

It's May, the Lusty Month of May!


Happy May Day!
(Vintage hand tinted postcard, early 20th century)