Friday, October 31, 2014

How to Cure a Grumpy Witch

Chocolate cures everything.

The greeting card above is on top of some background papers I did a couple of years ago.  I was playing with the first Dylusions sprays I ever bought.  They were out of most of the colors except purple, orange, and black, not normally my go-to colors.  But I had more fun playing than I ever expected.  I still have a stack of October-ish papers, and every year I think I should make a Halloween book with them.  But so far that hasn't happened.

I still like looking at them though!

Happy Halloween!!!  Don't let the goblins get you! 

Friday, October 24, 2014

Messy Play

I got some new blue paints a few weeks ago and have not had time to play.  I decided today is the day.  I just can't go too long without clearing a space and making a mess. 

I went to my old standby, painting a little of each color to see what it looks like and labeling them.  I also used some other blue paints I had on hand for comparison.  As it happened, I had a plastic case that holds baby wipes.  The wipes had dried up, and I was about to throw out the case when I realized it would make a great palette.

To use up the rest of the paint, I blocked off part of the page with masking tape, brayered and stenciled paints.  With the paint that was left, I stenciled onto plain white paper.
When the paint dried, I cut the white paper into strips and squares and added that to the page. 
Added a little detail with white and black pens, and called it good.  I feel so much better now.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Important Things

Seems like a long time since I posted here.  I guess that's because it has been a long time!  I wish I could reveal that I've been doing something exciting or interesting, or making fabulous art.  But, no.  Just kind of in a fall slump of a mood or something.  Starting things and not finishing them.  Cleaning and organizing then getting bored.  Trying to read a book, then falling asleep.

But things still percolate in my brain most of the time.  For instance, I have been working on a Very Important Research Project.  It was prompted by the screaming headlines a couple of months ago.  I was shocked, shocked, I tell you, to read that... well... Hello Kitty is not a cat.  Say what?  Her name is Kitty for crying out loud.  You expect us to believe that after 40 years, you have been fooling us?  They supposedly have this whole cockamamie story about how Hello Kitty is a girl, lives in London with her family, and even has her own cat.  I have to admit that I've seen more girls than cats wearing shoes and dresses and bows.  But she has whiskers.  It's a cat.

This requires a lot of research, and I have started my research journal (which I'm sure I'll lose interest in by the time this is posted!)
Another thing I did was finally give in and start a Pinterest account.  That was mainly because they have started putting a big block across the screen if you don't have an account.  You can still see things, but it was annoying me, so I signed up.  Because, you know, I need something to waste three hours a day on...  I don't have many boards or pictures up yet.  But I sure did look at a lot of stuff other people have put up.  It goes on into infinity and there is no good stopping place once you enter the door. (Pinterest account may or may not be found at this link if it works.)
 
One thing I discovered on Pinterest was this little easy project, which I think was described as a book closure.  If I had been smart enough to pin it, I could give you the link, but I forgot.  Basically, take a wide rubber band. Fold it in half and then in half again.  No need to clip it, I only did that so I could take a picture.  Punch a hole near the end of the folded part (I used my Japanese screw punch).
Unfold it and line up the holes. Use scissors to cut from each end to the holes.  Try to cut exactly down the center (do as I say, not as I do).
Then you have this handy little band that you can put around a small book, or a small stack of books, or probably a stack of ink pads.  Fun and easy.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Moon Watch

I can't believe I actually got to see the Blood Moon in the wee hours this morning.  Usually, there is too much cloud cover or rain or fog that ruins the view when something like this happens.

Unfortunately, it was just getting good when it was time for me to report to work.  Yes, it's true, I do start work at O-dark-thirty every day.  Wish I had had time to get out the good camera and tripod and view the full eclipse.