Yadda ...yadda ...yadda..............

It just occurred to me that I haven't posted in a few days. Just a little busy I guess.

The last few days I have had some really good news, some not so good and some just yet to be determined.

I have been selling stuff on Ebay again, now that's a chore in itself and why does everyone want to buy stuff I would rather keep? Click on Ebay to see my junk....PLEASE!

LOL

and then why does my hubby find it necessary to talk to Rachael Ray on the TV????? OMFG! like she can hear him.....................truly I do wonder what she would say back to him and his comments. Oh well like I should complain since he isn't hanging out in places I would rather he didn't right?

I have a few busy days coming up with test and such but I have started painting a picture / collage again......thank you SuziBlu! she is inspiration at it's core. Not sure how long that will take me to finish it is on its third layer right now trying to dry in this humidity that the great state of Florida finds necessary to produce daily at approximately at 3pm - yeah everyday. So far we have had something like 23 inches of rain in a week.

In the mean time I did happen to make some ribbons and such digitally and here they are. If you click on them they show up bigger and pretty and then if you want to you can save them and use them since they are optimized. If you do use them just don't claim em but USE them!

Just Charming

I want to brag a little bit before I share the digi stuff. This is a bird my sister made at a workshop in Buffalo with Wendy. Isn't it beautiful?
I am totally jealous that she got to take that workshop and I didn't!!! So jealous that the day of the workshop I sent her a text message, knowing she would think it was and emergency and look and all it was - was a dirty joke about Kermit the frog and Ms. Piggy nuff said.... I knew she would start giggling and it was going to bring attention to her and I wanted the teacher to ask her what was so funny. I know childish butttttttt I miss my sissy and love to make her laugh. You can see more of the birds at Studio 490 just click on "Wendy" or "Studio 490" along with some more amazing art. And AND! she gave the birdie to her daughter! LOL well I love my niece but if I had the chance.....






Giving a try at charms, my gold one isn't so gold so I am thinking I need to download a gold gradient for them but the concept is good. On second thought it almost looks like one of the cheapo charms you use to get at the five and dime when we were kids lol.






I like the vellum tag it almost looks real. Now I do wonder what if I just scan the stuff in and select it and get rid of the background. Maybe it would be the same especially if I added an inner bevel. Lord knows I have a lot of stuff to scan if I choose to.

I wonder about the digital scrappers, do they just take the pictures and scan most of their stuff? Do they really digitally produce this stuff? Hee hee always looking for the easy way out.

One thing to know is that all these photos and digitally produced items take up a bunch of space on your computer so if you don't have an external hard drive, you need to use a flash drive or even CD's to keep all this stuff on or you will eventually run out of room and crash. So because of that .... today I will be busy cleaning out my puter so I don't crash and burn.

How many programs???

OK - I know you really don't need two programs to make one spread. Unless your me.
I used Photo shop because it is easy to add and take away layers without thinking but then I used PSP to add text, borders, bevels, drop shadows etc.

This is my grandson Clayton and this is a picture from around Dec/Jan 08. The background of the original picture really sucked so I tubed him out and smudged, feathered, erased etc to get a nice clean shot.

Here is the original....















and the cutout or tubed version


















I also had a little time to try my hand at Chipboard alphabet well I just did the big A and little a but it came out OK. I tried distressing them with the sponge and marble brushes it worked out pretty well. I know there are grunge brushes out there I am just lazy. I think this would work for making thing look appliqued too.




Well that's it for today....till next time.

I have been busy but neglecting my blog and other stuff...

I have been so busy taking classes at PSPU and today I decided to stop. I found it was taking over my life and although I enjoyed it - it really isn't what I wanted to learn about digital. It is cool though I did get as far as the animations. I like making the PSP tubes the most, that is way cool and collecting Posers now that is cool too. They look like really great comic book figures. There are a lot of them over at deviant art the people generously grant permission to use after they labored for hours on them.

I had to stop and take a copyright class which is always good, problem was that they didn't all seem to be on the same page so I investigated further. Peoples copyrights change like the wind and you have to keep up with it or you will be infringing. I know I wouldn't want to infringe on someones copyright anymore than I would want them to infringe on mine. So that was ALL good.

My digital world will consist of more of my art not someone elses, so I need to learn elements and paper and textures. I would prefer to paint my own and figure out how to digitalize them that is my plan. I think I have been away from actual making for far too long and I have an outrageous amount of stuff! I need to use it.

My sister sent me a really neat book for Photoshop, and I have been playing with that, it is a good one called Digital Designs for Scrapbooking - ABC making your own by Renee Pearson. It came with a CD and once you understand the concept it is quite easy.

There are tons of tutorials out there too if you know where to look for them and depending on which program you use. All in all Paintshop is easier to use and easier to find tuts on but Photoshop is the most powerful.

This Slideshow below is from the Sophomore class

And then the Animations another Slideshow

No Copyright infringment is intended so if you think I have violated your copyright please contact me immediately so I can remove the problem.

I was messing around trying to get over my day, and made this. Cute huh? it's not rocket science really just playing around.

First I tubed the cat off of some fabric and saved it. Then picked a really fat font, and made a patterned fill thingy and then did some paint shop magic with selections and tubed in the kitty. Added bevels, and drop shadows etc just to show the effects. I stuck the kitty in the middle so you could see where the pattern came from. The outside pattern is just the blinds effects like what's on the frame.

I figured if I do something everyday, it will only improve my skills.

Painting Pansy's the Photoshop Way

While I am waiting for PSPU to reopen I have to have something to do so I decided to try a tutorial over at Eagles Rest Graphics. This is a tut on alpha channels and painting that Susi has provided. Click here that will take you to the tutorial if you want to have a go at it.

So what is an alpha channel? That I don't know concerning this but it was fun! That's me putting the donkey before the cart, I am sure that will be covered in class somewhere down the road. As far as I can see it is explained as a file within a file. Masks, settings and info can be stored in this Alpha Channel. As long as you save as a .pspimage or .psd that alpha channel remains there, with the items within out of sight until you load/recall (in the case of a mask) from that Alpha Channel. In this case someone else saved the image as such for people like me to play with. One day I will make some for others to play with.

I found this a lot of fun, and a bit of a challenge. Everything I know about painting had to be temporarily shoved aside because this is nothing like the real thing but has similar, possibly better results. In my head I am thinking OK now paint one with your paint and brushes on an actual canvas and compare. I may try that if I have the right colors of paint in my stash without having to go buy some. This also took me longer to do, 2 days - only because I really screwed up yesterday an just deleted the whole thing and started over today.

I learned a few things from this tutorial, I learned how people get the shading so perfect (well as perfect as the artist's eye) and patience! I used my Wacom tablet for some of it but I am still having trouble coordinating my eye and hand movements, and I grip the pen too tight thus click goes the little buttons at the most inconvenient times! there is the fact that my brain still thinks the harder I press the darker or blendyer (new word) it will be. Got to stop doing that before I wear out the tablet and the pen from heavy usage.

Well hope you enjoyed this little bit, I am sure there will be more soon!

Painting a new way

So while PSPU is still on spring break, I was messing around a bit and painted a Sunrise....or is it a sunset? It was fun to do, messing around with gradients and the deform tool. This is the first I ever tried that deform tool and it took me about five times to get it the way I wanted it. The clouds were fun too, using a brush and reducing the opacity to make them actually resemble clouds.

I was trying to make shapes too and actually did but I am not sure what to do with them yet lol.

Surfing around I found so many really awesome digital scrap booking sites and boy oh boy they can be addicting. Most of them offer you teasers so you will go back and buy their stuff and if I were truly a scrapper I would be in heaven. I do love to look at it and have actually saved some of it but not sure I will ever use it.

I am so torn right now, I want to get out my paint, inks, papers and do dads and play with them but I want to do this too. Somewhere down the line it will have to merge right? I think maybe I am just running a quart low on energy lol.

Well that's it for tonight, sleep tight.

Moon Gone Digital

Where have I been? Well long story but I am trying to be back now so that is all that really matters. So while I was gone I decided to try digital. There is a lot to be said for digital work, it has always interested me but I really never pursued it until now. The only thing is you can't expect miracles overnight, as it is a long process to learn.

I joined a group, and I highly recommend it to anyone just starting out. The group is called PSP University and they are some fantastic people willing to teach quite a lot. They share too, and in return you do the lessons and share back as soon as you can. Quite simple. Now this group is for Paintshop Pro and you can get free copies of that if you don't have it, but if you know a little bit about Photoshop you can do the lessons in that too. They have a few rules as all groups do, and believe me they are fair but necessary rules. You work at your own pace, and it is like going to school with lesson, a final and even graduation.

I made a slide show of some of the Freshman lessons I have learned there. Note please that some of the tube graphics are not NOT mine but if you like the tube you can go to the website listed on the picture and get the tube, please leave a thank you comment and READ the TOS. I did learn how to tube finally and I love it! The biggest challenge is finding the right photo to tube from and it has to be your own or something like Dover clips(which I use a lot) also there are some really cool thing from old postcards that you can snag which I will probably do soon.

The Number You Have Reached Has Been Temporairly Disconnected!

And the Valentines Tree.

It seems lately, that I have been disconnected in a lot of area's concerning life in general. I have had an artist block from hell going, my logic has flown out the window(due in part from trying to learn digital), I do not understand humanity at all and to top it off, my Internet will not entirely engage lately, and now my phone disconnects when I try to say "Goodnight, I Love YOU!" sorry sis. Not to mention my brain but ehhhh..............we won't go there just now.

Anyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyywho I said I would post my pitiful Valentine Tree so here it is.



A close up and yes I know it really isn't anything special but at least I made the effort!




I will end this particular post with my Best Wishes and Love and yes I am working on a few things which I will post about later. Right now?.................night, night!

What I've Been Up To...

I have been working at least one month to complete this project. A vintage style tulle Christmas tree in pink! Why pink? when Christmas is clearly red and green? or silver and blue? Because of my battle with breast cancer, and the idea I had of making this tree for the nurses at the chemo center that took such good care of me for the past six months. Here are the results where she is unlit





lit up


A close up of the top Christmas fairy

This tree took quite a while to accomplish considering my state of mind and get up and go (that apparently went) lol but it is finally finished. Each piece is hand done and tied on with ultra thin wire. The tinsel is made of wire ribbons, the bows were made using a fork, the pink bulbs were purchased and the white use to be a spray for floral arrangements. The tulle was glittered with german glass glitter. I did paint the base however you cannot see it because the bottom rows became heavy with ornaments and glitter. I had hoped to make each nurse a button fairy but time is running out and I am just too tired sooooooooooooo maybe next time.

Another Christmasy thing to share is my Mother's wreath. It is beautiful in it's simplicity. I just love it and wanted to share.
Isn't it pretty?

I just joined Artella Land as an affiliate and wanted to share their sale for this season! It is a huge savings for everyone from newbie to longtime fans and I want to encourage you to check them out!
This link will give you all the juicy details on the special holiday sale just click here

To help get you started here is a freebie for you just for checking.
Subject: FREE Giveaway: Stunning and Simple Seasonal Salutations eBook!
Download a FREE copy of Stunning and Simple Seasonal Salutations, an eBook featuring10 beautiful handmade cards, complete with photos and descriptive "how-to" instructions, showcasing a variety of techniques such as rubber stamping, collage, and innovative paper and mixed media arts. Download your copy at Artella Freebie

Even if you are not interested in the freebie, just click the picture below, to start saving now! Don't forget to use your super code when checking out.

Halloweenieing Around

I have been busy honest I have.
I made this arrangement and another smaller one just like it.

Then, I made an inchie and a twinchie accordian book for Halloween oh and the candy corn cone too. I got the cute little Halloween tree at Bealls for only $4.95 at the 70% off sale.

The twinchie unfolded this is the front.

The inchie unfolded this is the front.

The back of the inchie book, now I don't know why it looks yellow when in fact it is pumpkin orange and holligram glitter and it says "Happy Halloween" it is much nicer in person.

A closer look at the inchie.

The back of the twinchie that says "Trick or Treat"

and finally!

A closeup of the Candy Corn Cone.

Also I manage to finish my 120 pages for the fat book exchange over at the Art Tech Group and mailed them out. Too bad I was missing part of my brain that day, I forgot to take pictures! Can you say C h e m o b r a i n ??? It was like as soon as I got in the car to leave the post office, I looked at Cody, he looked at me like what ma? and there it was OMG I forgot to take a picture of the pages! oh well once I get the fat book I will post pics. I also managed to post on my other blog, small steps for some but, for me lately ....one giant step for da Moon! Ha ha well someone needs a sense of humor around here!

I need to give Honorable Mention to Great Aunt Gerda from Linkoping, Sweden (God rest her soul) for the absolutely gorgeous tatted orange doilies! Aren't they delicious? usually I am not usually an "orange" person but I just love these! Although I don't know why I am not, it is such a happy color.

Moon Whimsy

Yes I changed the name I grew tired of the Starving Artist since I am not really starving anyway. Still not sure I want to keep this name, trying to come up with something else. Any ideas out here? I have plenty but most are already taken and I like to be different.

A Different Kind of Art

Meet Molly! Isn't she the cutest little furbaby you ever wanted to see? This is my new "neice" and Cody's new little cousin. I could just love this little gal to pieces!

She told me she can't wait to meet me! I know I can't wait to meet her either. We, well some of us in our family treat our pets like our children .... litterly. I am one of them in that catagory. They have such sweet little souls and love so unconditionally how can you not love them?

So Welcome to the family little furry creature! I can't wait to see you and snuggle, huggle and play with you! Cody will be so jellous so I don't think I will tell him when the time comes.

Lori's Blogaversary!

Lori Roberts is having an anniversary blog give away! Click her name and read her blog to be entered in the give away.

Lori works for Altered Arts as a senior designer and she and her daughter Mel recently opened their own store called Paper Imagery Design where they sell alot of really cool images for collage.

I have known Lori for a long time on the Internet from the Yahoo Groups we both belong in and she is quite the accomplished artist. While you are visiting and entering please check out her art and leave comments. I know she will appreciate it. I must add that she has done a great job with her beautiful daughter Mel too, she is way cool!

One Creative Queen

Someone named the Creative Queen left me a comment on my Rainbow Shimmer Button Fairy post from last January. As is a ususal custom for me if I have the way to see the persons who leave me comments I always visit their blogs.

This is an amazing talented single mom who creates whimisical faces of clay, books, quilts and artsy crafty stuff such as candles, centerpieces and pincushions. She has some beautiful watches that she made also. You have to go to the bottom of her page and view the slideshows but it is worth it. She talks of quilts, I am anxious to see.

One thing she mentions in the last post is where to find small amounts of fabrics. One thing I have learned is that if you go to the thrift stores and junque shops you can find fabric and buttons, zippers, buckles and clasps all sorts of goodies. You gleen the stuff off of clothing that they sell for cheap. I have gotten some beautiful beads, lace, appliques with sequins and silk. I am now looking for wool but being in florida that will be a tough one to find. If you have any other ideas please take the time to post to her blog at One Creative Queen. She also has a contest going on, and it ends the 31st. So hurry on over there and show some love!

The Body Image

This is the latest journal posting from the Art Techniques Group over on Yahoo. This was done on Thursday while I was getting my warriors infused. A little sloppy but it is hard to concentrate and also I am usually as high as a kite on Thursday's lol added benefit. Not sure it helps me art very well though. The part that matters to me is where it says the following.

Our bodies are the bridge between life energy and psychical form, look at your body without the interfering judgements of the others, the body image contributes to the sense of who you think you are the size does not matter.

Some people feel a diminished sense of self worth because they perceive their body as ugly or imperfect. The mental image or concept of your body is a complete distortion of reality.

The rest of what I wrote is a rambling of thoughts past and present in no particular order but they do tell a story. The rest is up to you.

Weekly Journaling from the Art Techniques Group

The Art Tech group is having weekly journal prompts and I decided I didn't have enough to do with making 120 fat book pages, an apron or two, this and that for my dear sweet Mom etc. I decided to join in. The first week was eyes. We were suppose to write about our eyes so here is my first entry.




The second week was about our hair. Here is that page. It opened quite a discussion about hair, but redheads in particular. Who knew? I wasn't going to put these on here but as a special favor to someone special (sis) I did. For those who do not know me personally, these are all me well the female person in the pics from kindergarten up to the NOW.






Also up this week was some digital art I was messing around with. Of course I know not what the heck I am doing but here they are. The first is blocks. The second is Vortex Abyss and the third is Hands.





Last but not least is from an entirely different group. This is from a privately owned crafting group of really wonderful ladies. We are small but very close knit, I have known some of them a very long time! We are having an apron swap and this one was sent to me by a nice lady that lives in Buffalo, NY - wow my home town! Isn't that funny? I did not know her when I lived there.