Always remember the beauty of the garden

Update: LK Ludwig

2009-11-10T14:17:00.004-05:00

Archive Assignment #1: Resonate

My first 2 pages from the October "Point & Shoot Journaling" e-class.

More info here.

treasures found!

2009-11-06T00:17:00.004-05:00

Willis and Julia

Joseph E. Farquhar

The Samuel T. Murphy family

Julia Cook

Julia and Friends

Anna and Charles

Happy Haunting!

2009-10-31T01:28:00.003-04:00

I hope you scare up a little fun tonight!!

"When you hear the owls hooting,

Get your jack o' lantern out,

Put on your shroud and hurry,

For ghosts should be about."

"Enchanted Spirit" ATC

How I created the background: First I started with a heavy cardstock blank, to which I added a layer of acrylic paint mixed with glaze. This was to create a glossy "base" for alcohol ink application (red, yellow & copper). Final glaze was with Glitter Modge Podge before adhering image (some free vintage images here) printed from computer, matted word (DooDads by Tim Holtz) and mini bottlecap (like this) with UTEE (by Ranger Ink) and gold embossing powder. Edged with black Sharpie.

awakening

2009-10-28T01:13:00.006-04:00

59th - my valhalla
Originally uploaded by cookievf

Subtle light play,

an overcast day.

Mist adds to the mystery;

the imagery.

In the soft, low light ~

shimmering silver

on wisps of foam.

: : EVERYTHING : :

looks and feels so right.

Right here.

Right now.

I am alive & awake!

Stretching Myself

2009-10-25T10:32:00.008-04:00

For October, I am signed up for the first month of LK Ludwig's (online) POINT AND SHOOT journaling class. In the past I'd visited her blog and became even more intrigued when I purchased her book "True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling." Then you can imagine my reaction when I learned that she would be teaching an e-course!

LK is offering 31 days of inspirational techniqes, instruction and prompts. There are over 80 members signed up for the 1st month who hail from all over the globe. Here's a small sampling:

- longmont, colorado, usa
- georgia, usa
- winchester, england
- seatlle, wash, usa
- esperance, western australia
- portland, oregon, usa
- somewhere in belgium
- southern california, usa
- montreal, canada
- frederick, maryland, usa
- Brussels, Belgium
- idaho falls, idaho, usa
- erie, pennsylvanis, usa
- altamont, new york, usa
- lethbridge, alberta, canada
- near wellington, new zealand
- london, england

As I begin to dig down into the THOUSANDS of images I have stored on my computer, my teacher says I will be revisitng "notes from my super-creative, subconscious self." We will be adding our own thoughts & experiences as well as quotations & poems plus painting, scratching, coloring and who-knows-what!

So far, I am extremely pleased with the content of this course and highly recommend it. And I promise - pics and W-I-P to follow!

Suzi Inspired!! MWAH!!

2009-10-19T12:31:00.006-04:00

Anxious to try my hand at original art, I created this 4x4 with one of a few small pen sketches I did recently on a Post-it pad. I was inspired after watching Suzi Blu's workshop video for "The Goddess & The Poet" ~ (thanks, my friend!)

I JUST GOTTA TAKE THIS CLASS! For $55.00 you can sign up for it here.

adopt don't shop

2009-09-18T23:59:00.004-04:00

"The greatness of a nation

and its moral progress can be judged

by the way its animals are treated."

- Gandhi

Today is Puppy Mill Awareness Day! If you live near any of the locations, listed below, please attend one of these important events. This organization's goal is to provide a voice for the thousands of dogs that remain in puppy mills around the country that are waiting for a hero. While public awareness has drastically increased over the past few years there's still a long way to go!!

Today we can all help by celebrating and supporting rescue, adopting a shelter or puppy mill dog and do our part to increase awareness to the cruelty within the mills.

ENGLAND
Leeds

IRELAND
Dublin

UNITED STATES

COLORADO

Littleton, CO
FLORIDA
Royal Palm Beach, FL
ILLINOIS
Champaign, IL
MASSACHUSETTS

Medfield, MA
Salem, MA
MICHIGAN

Westland, MI
PENNSYLVANIA
Lansdale, PA

Important Links:

awareness day
petfinder
best friends animal society
last chance for animals
ban puppy mills
rescue ink - "Rescue Ink Unleashed " - a new series. Friday, 09/25/09 - 10:00 p.m. - National Geographic Channel

Etsy Shop Update

2009-09-14T16:08:00.005-04:00

My Shop "beauty of the garden"
Seller "vickstress"

I've just added a link to my Etsy shop. It is small and growing so be sure to click now and take a peek. You can either check here for updates or click on "follow this feed" at the bottom of my shop! Here are some items I will be listing ~

PAPER ART:
- ACEO originals,
- OOAK blank greeting cards,
- squared art,
- larger format mixed media collage,
- mixed media collage prints mounted on thick, creamy (blank) greeting cards

SUPPLIES:
Destashing cherished bits from my personal collection such as
-carte de visite
-cab cards
-maps
-mat board
-postcards
-old books & book pages
-vintage magazines
-vintage photo postcards
-square and shaped board books
as well as other treasures for altering/mixed media collage and bookmaking.

Vintage flea market finds from rural New England, such as
-gorgeous rusty & brass bits
-escutcheons
-keys
-art deco goddesses

AND SO MUCH MORE!

feed the soul ~ plan it!

2009-09-06T15:36:00.004-04:00

dream come true!
Originally uploaded by cookievf

It felt wonderful to be able take one off my "bucket list" yesterday!

I have wanted to take this trip for what seems like a lifetime and it came about SPONTANEOUSLY!

Walking across this 120 year old engineering marvel was truly My American Dream Come True!

At 54, I realize more than EVER how important it is to honor:
- my past
- all that I AM
- and all that I NEED TO BE

count down to ART

2009-08-31T22:19:00.005-04:00

TECH SUPPORT & END USER

April 2009 "Beerworks" BOSTON

Being without a computer has been trying, to say the least! I have been so busy making art that I hope you will remember to check back in with me over the next 1-2 weeks! I'm closer to being able to scan all of my new projects (for sharing here) but we're just not there yet.

The tale begins with absolute elation over a recent decision to back up our computers. Thankfully I was able to salvage 99% of my photography and all of my art before my PC d-i-e-d about 5-6 weeks ago!!! We bought an external mass storage device or external hard drive for around $180 at our local office supply store. Something I highly recommend. There are 2 versions, USB or Network and Network, though costing almost 50% more, is much faster.

Resuscitating my July photo shoot in Portland Maine continues to be a challenge, but I haven't given up. Everything else is coming along slowly but surely, as we purchased a "bare bones" package for around $400. My new Intel Pentium 2.8 GHz Dual Core is screaming fast, compared to what I had before and has enough storage space (300 GB) for my massive photo collection and scanned artwork.

This turned out to be a great deal but has required extreme patience on my part. For example, my camera has been maxed out for about 2-3 weeks and I can't offload (or TAKE ANY MORE PICTURES) until the software's been installed. This is because my husband asked me to prioritize the workload so I carefully weighed the importance of each application & feature and he's spreading out the various installations over several weekends. When your husband works in IT, or really any type of high-stress job, downtime is precious. Just as it is to me! He spends his in the recording studio downstairs in "the cave" and I spend mine in my "cave" or Art Room. (That is when we're not watching past episodes of "24" or Red Sox Games!) So, he's been able to dedicate a couple hours a week to the project and it's not over yet.

Norton antivirus: (8/22/09) ~ completed but with major issues, delays
Web access, email, etc: (8/22/09)
Printer: (8/23/09) ~ completed but SOME issues, delays
MAXTOR access to my archived photos and art
Speakers: (8/27/09) ~ completed but SOME issues, purchase required
Replacing the CORRECT version of Microsoft Office: check (8/28/09) ~ completed but yes, more major issues, patch had to be researched online & worked! WHEW!
UPDATE: Fuji FinePix Digital Camera: (9/4/09) ~ offloaded 300+ pics, took 290 more on 9/5/09 trip to brooklyn bridge.

INSTALLATIONS STILL TO COME:

Camera (done)
Scanner
Photshop Elements 6.0
"Old" C: drive with vacation photos

~ In the meantime, I am getting my hands dirty and staying busy! ~

sad but true!

2009-08-10T14:30:00.008-04:00

... Shhhhh! Don't tell the boss! I am posting from work because MY PC HAS BEEN DOWN FOR 3 WEEKS!

Ever-anxious to share my art, tips and techniques, photos from my adventuresand to remain in touch with so many lovely friends in this online community..

I will be posting again soon, estimating just after this weekend, or around August 18! Please be sure to check back ~ we've got alot of catching up to do!!!

July trip to Portland, Maine

come on in!

day one in my side garden

2009-07-12T02:31:00.009-04:00

"Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime."

~William Shakespeare

For my sweet, precious mother. You are a TREASURE and we love you so much. Happy 86th Birthday!
soft gel txr image, heat embossed handmade frame.

HEALTH UPDATE: mom was diagnosed with rectal cancer in may. Her CT Scan, Laproscopic Ultrasound, a physical exam, and soooo many prayers, indicated she is one of the lucky few that did NOT require either a colostomy, chemo or radiation! On June 11 she was scheduled to have "SAME DAY SURGERY" in her home state of Vermont with approximately 4 weeks needed to heal while she stayed with me in CT until she could sit and/or drive comfortably.

She was kept overnight for observation, most likely due to her age and physical condition as well as the face down positioning for surgery. Mom was discharged the very next day...... back at our house it was a different story.

Unbeknownst to us, she began to develop "aspirational pneumonia" that first night and around 9Am the next day, we called her surgeon followed by 911 and got her right back into a different hospital in a different state! She had fantastic care, throughout the 13 days she spent in the hospital and while regaining her strength at the Rehab Center. She is back in her home in Vermont and has just been cleared by her doctor to drive... only one month after surgery.

I have all of the faith in the world that she will be completely back to her former self in the next few weeks and, no doubt, begin contemplating the 3 annual trips we take (when we can) to the south jersey shore in September, to her next Boston red sox game and this time we're planning on seeing The Cloisters in our annual mother-daughter trip to NYC!

Thank you again to all of our family and friends for your steadfast love & support and for all of your prayers, flowers and good wishes. We truly appreciate you and know how important a support system is to health, healing and general well-being! Added to that I had a friend that was travelling to her family home in Brazil for her brother's wedding right before mom's surgery. She was able to include a special blessing for our mother in Basilica of Bom Jesus Lord Iguapea. She brought back 2 prayer ribbons from this amazing church that has been recognized, for several hundred years, as a location for religious pilgrimage. "Eunice, you touched our hearts! - xox"

So, please schedule a colonoscopy today if you are 50 or older and consult your doctor to schedule one sooner if polyps run in your family because ~ PREVENTATIVE medicine ~ saves ~ lives! ~

Parades, Picnics & Pyrotechnics

2009-07-04T09:09:00.010-04:00

Early morning on the 4th of July, my brother and I would race through breakfast to decorate our bicycles on the back patio with red-white-and-blue crepe paper. We'd tape little flags to our handlebars and, for sound effects, attach a pair of playing cards to the spokes of our front and back wheels with WOODEN CLOTHESPINS!

1962 - ages 10 & 7

We couldn't wait to ride at the back of our tiny (pop. 5,000) hometown parade down "main street!" Our parents and all of the neighbors would bring folding chairs, sit at the top of our street and wave excitedly as we rode by. What a festive sight ~ I can still hear the fire engines!

Anytown, USA

Afterwards, the entire town would follow the parade to the park for hot dogs, soda and all the fixins. A band would be playing, lots of laughter and good times as we eagerly anticipated family gatherings followed by FIREWORKS!

Back at home, mom & dad would begin to pack the car as we grabbed our suits to meet up with friends at the pool and yes, you guessed it, later we'd have a picnic spread out in the grass.

And the BEST PART: driving to Philadelphia with a box of sparklers, taking the long walk to the schoolgrounds with thousands of others to eat ice cream and watch the pyrotechnics!

Happy Birthday, America!

Altered Book Swap Part 2... step-by-step

2009-07-02T13:36:00.013-04:00

I have always been considered someone who loves detail! It has helped me in my work, my relationships AND in my art as well. Add to that an inquisitive mind and you will understand exactly why I love TECHNIQUES and the ever-popular WORK-IN-PROGRESS, or WIP, from either point of view. I enjoy documenting them myself ... even in the garden... and reading about them too!

The best part was finding a book to alter with a die-cut cover!

"Belly Button Book"
- by Sandra Boynton

The very first step (not shown), as with all board books, is to sand each page lightly to remove the finish. This will give it "tooth" so they can accept paint.

Naturally, as this was my very f.i.r.s.t. altered board book, I tried to stop whenever possible - grab my camera - and set up for a photo. Here are most of the steps I used to create the front cover:

I grabbed a few magazines and cut several images and collaged the cover so there would be some added dimension once I attached the next layer.

Next I crumpled several torn pieces of pink, orange and red tissue paper adhering them with decoupage medium. This is an easy technique that's alot of fun because you simply smoosh the tissue in random peaks and valleys. Once it dries completely, the effect is very pretty!

A sturdy punch was used to make a hole in the cover. Next, I added a copper eyelet so I could attach a "dangle-y" at some point! Use your imagination to add ribbons, cording, leather, beads, a section of chain, charms, a tiny photo, a stamped tag, fibers or even fabric. No limits!

My favorite technique is any type of image transfer and I knew instantly that it should be a strong visual to entice you to open the book. Not only did I find one that appealed to me, but oddly it was framed inside of a perfect circle. The decision had been made for me!

Using soft gel medium, I applied several layers in opposite directions, drying between each layer. At this point, it doesn't matter if you cut it out before or after the process. Some people may prefer a "margin" to hold on to while rubbing.

This time I worked on top of my non-stick craft sheet but mostly I spread open a catalog and just flip the pages as they get dirty. R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, R-E-U-S-E!!

Every mixed media artist needs a squirt bottle that has a fine spray. It's wonderful to use with alcohol inks, but that's a future post.

Some transfer mediums instruct you to immerse the item in a bowl of water for 10 minutes, which I tried, but didn't make much difference here. This method is trial and error and you will find a way that works best for you. I simply spray and rub the paper from the back, slowly and repeatedly many, many, MANY times... the result is more than worth the effort, as you will see when you do it. This view is the reverse side, partially completed. TIP: I always print at least 2 images just in case I tear one in the process!! I lost some of the color here and had to begin again.

Perfect!

To make the "dangle-y" I wove some unwaxed linen cording, used for bookmaking, through the eyelet, strung a few beads and attached a metal rimmed paper tag. Next I covered the back with strips of copper foil used for soldering and flattened with a bone folder.

For the front of the tag, I layered 2 white paper flowers, cut a green flower for the leaves, added a swarovski crystal for the center and finished with a few embellishments using my gel pen.

I highlighted the inside rim of the circle and also surrounded it with dots using a gold paint pen. The dots are outlined with a black permanent marker and, as much as I wanted to add a title, I stopped here deciding "less is more!"

Click for a link to see all 17 books in the art-e-zine Altered Board Book Swap!

More WIP pages to follow...

A Special Place

2009-06-26T01:50:00.005-04:00

Last weekend we travelled to Boston for the 3rd time since April. For 2 people who don't like to repeat vacations, it always makes me :-) inside when I realize how much we enjoy going there!! And we were amazingly 3/3 with the w.e.a.t.h.e.r.!!

Even though we didn't have tickets to a RED SOX game (a first), Boston seemed like the perfect place for some much-needed R&R.

Every trip we've ever taken here has lasted only one night and we pack so much into a 24-hour period we usually collapse into our hotel bed. Lots of walking, sightseeing, drinking and eating.... and ALWAYS enjoying the weather and all of the history here. First a few cityscapes:

Twice last year we spent the afternoon and had dinner in Cambridge at two fabulous restaurants, oleana and tamarind bay. We would BOTH highly recommend either one, but that was the exception rather than the rule. Our habit (20 times or more) is typically to go to the north end, Little Italy. Our all-time favorite place to eat is ARTU on Prince Street where, after being away for around 2 years, we went saturday night. They never disappoint! I can also recommend three more: Prezza, CARMEN, and Pomodoro. And.. the best part of the night is after dinner when everyone is outside roaming the streets of this quaint, old neighborhood!

More pics to come! Plan your trip now!! (I might even tell you where to get red sox tickets. shhhhhhhhhhhh!)

Altered Book Swap!

2009-06-18T18:07:00.012-04:00

I participated along with 16 other artists in this fab/fun swap hosted by Christine Shebroe. Take a peek at all the lovely pages that have been scanned and recently posted over at ART-E-ZINE!

It was my first attempt at altering a children's "board book" and I found it to be an easy project due to the small number of pages required for this swap.

Lucky me, I received my TRAVEL-THEMED book from Carol Barnes, all the way from Down Under! Be sure to take a closer look at the second spread featuring her a-m-a-z-i-n-g fabric art representation of Ayers Rock/Uluru, one of Australia's most recognizable natural icons!!

Next post: some of my work-in-progress pages.

cover detail "flower girlz"

Be Open To Collaborations

2009-06-10T10:31:00.008-04:00

- because they can be pure magic!

PART I

Last fall I was spending alot more time on Ning than I have been lately. I joined Suzi Blu and though I hadn't signed up for a class, I created a profile, met lots of great people and discovered several spin-off NING groups as well, to name a few. The BEST thing to come out of that experience was linking up with 3 other local MM artists within an hours drive from my home!

At our first PLAY DATE Susan did all the prep work, supplied the mat board and three 20-page signatures as well as an instruction sheet with resources as a take-away! We had so much fun and this is the result.

Part II

ART JOURNALS
with Charlotte Hedlund
Saturday, June 13, 10:00am-4:00pm

"You don’t have to be an artist to keep an art journal! You don’t have to be an artist to keep an art journal! Words and images combine in ways that express our creativity unselfconsciously. Investigate things that inspire, work out ideas, and play with colors, shapes and textures. Art journals allow us to organize memorabilia, record dreams, feelings, travels, nature’s wonders, simple pleasures and major life events. It is the place to explore our creative selves, gaining new insights and making unexpected connections. Supportively we will explore ideas for getting started, discuss the pursuit of images and how to overcome creative block, and the need for creative solitude. We will use collage, paints, markers, stamping, printing, doodling, stitching, and more to decorate and embellish the pages of our journals. Art journal examples will be on hand to provide inspiration, and ways to make your own simple journals will be demonstrated.
Member $165 • Non-Members $190Plus a Materials Fee of $5"

Part III

My best friend has a lovely Hair Salon in town and has created a beautiful nursey in the back of the salon each summer. She had her second annual Plant Sale this year and I was happy to help her create the invitations and all of the identifying plant signs. As a thank you, she gifted me with 12 hours of class instruction at the Brookfield Craft Center! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and lucky me!

... can't wait to get started!

Begin Again

2009-06-04T12:32:00.007-04:00

"Don’t ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.

Because what the world needs

is people

who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman

So I'm back, bottle of glue in hand.. ready and willing to share my gifts with the world! In other words, although I haven't posted in nearly 2 months, I assure you I've been:

TAKING A LOCAL BOOK ALTERING CLASS, Going to Redsox games, MAKING MORE ART, Tending my roses, EXPERIMENTING WITH NEW TECHNIQUES, Making new friends, SIGNING UP FOR A LOCAL ART JOURNAL WORKSHOP, Lots of photograpy, STRETCHING MY ARTISTIC WINGS. Basically I have been loving my life and counting each and every blessing.

Pics to follow... stay tuned, dear friends!

Happy (Hoppy) Easter

2009-04-11T14:33:00.007-04:00

From my little corner of the world,

I wish you all the joys of spring, of hope and of renewal!

"The story of Easter is the story of God's

wonderful window of divine surprise."

~Carl Knudsen

"Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection,

not in books alone,

but in every leaf in spring-time."

~Martin Luther

Wonderful Book Art

2009-04-08T00:13:00.004-04:00

Still a work-in-progress, the cover is always so much fun to make! We made a mini book by covering cardboard with torn (vintage) book pages that were inked, distressed & glazed. Created a cover design on the computer, printed and then cut it out. A large, decorative brad was used for the "doorknob" and a leather strip to secure it. A "hinge" was created on the inside by linking the two covers with a piece of card stock. The inside describes what it means to have a raven as your totem. "Healing" was the part we liked the best and "moving from the dark into the light."

- upper left corner is made with mesh from a vegetable bag.

- lower right corner was made from black foil from a wine bottle.

Making a mess is a pre-requisite, it seems. Cleaning up.. not so much!!!

l-o-v-e taking pictures of children's hands!

- Distressing a piece of striped, green paper we added for the "end papers."

- stamping foam letter stamps on our tag book and then embossing in Diamond Black.

"Let's make more!"

favorite pastime

2009-03-30T02:25:00.005-04:00

I have such a love affair with photography,

there's no end to what you can do!

Original

Convert to B&W

Increase contrast

Play with colored tints ~ crop

... and so much more!

pseudo-oil painting

more tricks

borders - zoom & crop

the choices are as varied

as your IMAGINATION (and your software)!

Authenticity

2009-03-25T21:37:00.010-04:00

Truthfully, no two of us are alike!

Whether you've attended Art School, are self-taught or consider yourself an "outsider artist," each one of us has come from a very VERY different place. And because we come from totally different places it is natural to produce totally different art.

Creating art, in any form, is also an act of trust. It takes a "leap of faith" since making art is the act of BARING YOUR SOUL!

There truly are - NO RULES - that define where art can or should come from. The important part is that we express our own authentic individual experience.

Release the bird from your caged mind. Let your art (and your heart) S.O.A.R.

You have a story to tell!

You Are Special

2009-03-24T23:56:00.008-04:00

"best friends forever"

3 weeks ago I made this ATC for a very special friend and, when I see her on Friday, I will finally be able to give it to her.

The backstory is that she came into my life under extremely trying circumstances. Raised by her single father and grandfather and at barely 9 years of age, her dad was tragically killed in a one-car accident. Yes, heartbreaking, but there is much more to this that I can't share. As a result, we have opened our hearts to each other and the healing process continues. Outside of immediate family, she has trusted only ME with her story and I am honored to be her friend. UPDATE 03/28/09: today will be our second "go" at altering her Poetry Journal together. We plan to add lots of secrets in magical little hiding places, so stay tuned!

The way we were brought together, and she agrees with me, proves that there is no such thing as coincidence. Especially when you realize that the root word is "coincide!" (For all you linguists, more here.)

Over many years we have developed a special bond that can NEVER be broken ~

...not in this world...

...or in the next...

art journey, refreshed

2009-03-20T22:09:00.012-04:00

It wasn't until I heard myself saying.. out loud.. how much I missed making art, that I realized I needed an emergency ART INTERVENTION! So often we turn without for inspiration, but this time it felt different. It came from within.

My heart spoke ~ and I listened.

About 2.5 weeks ago, I was describing to a friend that not expressing myself through my art was making me feel all bottled up! Shocked to hear myself uttering those words, and I promise you it was TANGIBLE.. there was a connection taking place inside.. leaving no doubt, whatsover, that the time to "purge" was n.o.w.

The easy part was locating a few half-started projects to pick back up again - LOL - and (no surprise) I came up with some new ones, as well. I'll be busy posting and sharing them with you, but first, here's what I've been working on since March 3rd:

blank card for someone to GIVE (below)
3 ATC's - 1 very special one for a special friend
an altered book Poetry Journal with a teenage friend
finished my first handbound journal (a la Kelly Kilmer) with 3, 20-page signatures
started the cover design
learned to use a Color Negative attachment to my scanner and retouched 2 of my all-time best photographs from two 26 year old negatives
Book of Me journal
Sentimental Journey journal

... happy arting!

every day is a new beginning

2009-03-04T18:00:00.001-05:00

upland farm - sherman, CT 02.25.08

Let there be respect for the earth,

Peace for its people,

Love in our lives,

Delight in the good,

Forgiveness for past wrongs

And from now on, a new start.

millennium resolution - rev. peter trow - 1999