Trash or Treasure?

Ok, so we all know that I love to recycle....mainly textiles... but not exclusively. I'm a happy camper any time I'm around cast off or thrown away materials, before of after being turned into something else. I get especially excited when it's turned into some type of art.

Well, Tyree Gyton of Detroit has been doing it for decades. His Heidelberg Project is an ever changing landscape of shoes, grocery carts, doll pieces, vacuum cleaners, bent and mangled metal, cinder blocks and so much more.... all whimsically assembled to create art that gives the viewer either the giggles or pause to think about the message.

I recently spent a morning there with a local high school art class. The purpose was to expose the kids to various types of art and materials... and think about what they could create themselves. So the message is that you don't have to have big money to create art, just an imagination and some found objects.

Here is a peek at our morning.

at the beginning

not sure what to do with all those old records?

hello, hello. anyone home?

yipes. who put those shopping carts up there?

the middle of the shopping cart tree

charred beams from an abandoned house

medical folk create art & make statements too..

Detroit's in trouble...this says it all

hmmm, there's still empty space up top

do you know what time it is in the D? take that Flavor Flav

coming and going,
every sidewalk is painted with faces & crosses

So that should give you some idea of what the Heidelberg Project is and how we reuse trash in Detroit. Love it or hate it, art IS in the eye of the beholder. It will be interesting to see what the kids come up with for their own projects.

I'll keep you posted.

Recycling at its finest

I love to recycle. 

Not sure why, but I do love gathering little rusty bits, bumpy or satiny smooth textiles, odd bits of lace and buttons, old photos, bits of stuff with old cursive hand writing, frayed leather books, utensils..well just about anything and everything really.

Or is it the gathering that's the best part? Could it be just looking at all of the interesting things I've gathered or maybe actually making something from it all that brings joy... maybe it's a combination of it all. 

The video below shows what you can do with 'trash' if you really put your mind to it....

click here to see the Landfillharmonic 

Help me win art supplies - deadline today

Is it at all possible that I have not posted for almost a month! 

Wow.. I had no idea.. 

well, it is allergy time and I seem to lose time in the spring and fall.. 

~

I don't have much to say at the moment

except that I have

entered my threadwork piece in an online contest.

This piece was done with free motion stitching back and forth

with a variety of colors to give the piece some dimension and vibrancy.

I have used the sewing machine needle and thread

as an artist would use paint and a brush. 

 please click here for direct link to see the quilt

If you like what you see, give it 5 stars and then confirm your votes with the email that follows. It must be done before midnight tonight, March 31. 

If I win, I get to go pick out some cool art supplies from Michaels! 

Thank you for looking and hopefully voting!

List it Tuesday - places to visit

Today is List it Tuesday about places we'd like to visit and what we'd do once we got there....

OMG... there are so many places I would like to visit...here's the short list:

India for the food, culture, people, sites, textiles
Asia for the food, culture, people, sites, textiles
Mexico for the food, culture, people, sites, textiles
South America... yes the whole continent for the food, culture, people, sites, textiles & music/dance
Puerto Rico for dancing and music... who cares about the rest!
Israel for the food, culture, people, sites, history, flea markets, family
Eastern Europe for the culture, people, sites, to find family and history
All of the USA just cause ..

I imagine that you see a pattern here..Well, what did you expect.. I love using my camera as much as my sewing machine and ..... I'm a fabriholick!

Don't forget to check out Artsyville .. a wonderful land to visit.
There are more lists lists there too: http://artsyville.blogspot.com/

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 28!

I'm saddened to say that today is the last day of the challenge.

I am thrilled to say that I crossed the finish line...

I am also thrilled to say that I did it with some really fabulous artists.
I met some great folks thru this challenge and
think they will become long time friends...

I think they will.... I make the vodka cubes!

~so here is my entry for day 28~

And here is the final piece... day 29

what better way to end than with my self portrait!

Once again, thank you Ayala Art. 
You challenged us.
You brought us all together. 
You made us create art.
You're the best! 
 ~
Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces ends today - Make a book!

I have been wanting to do something to commemorate the 29 Faces challenge since I started it.

Originally I was going to create a book in InDesign. Have you ever tried working with InDesign?? Wow.. It is quite a challenge in itself. I did get started, but very quickly it became a overwhelming... so for the time being I thought ... forget it..

Then I decided I would make a DVD in IMovie. Well, I have a nice start, but I couldn't let the book idea go. If you have been reading my blog, you know that I belive in the Universe and how it leads us were we need to be... well, I stumbled upon a really cool website today called Burb Books. 

Blurb Books seems like the no-brainer solution. I'm goin' for it!

If you have something that you would commemorate in a book, maybe for yourself as a milestone, like me or to give as a gift, check it out.. 

Save 15% on your Blurb Photo Book purchase

from 3/1 through 3/31 with code SPRING15OFF 

For 15% discount, use this link

 Click here to learn more about the variety of Blurb Books you can make

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 27

a quilt in progress:

this is a mock up of my own images.. a test for image & color

This is the piece in progress.
I added 2 dancers on the road to the Taj Mahal.
~
Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 26

digital collage
from my own images and silkscreens

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - days 24 & 25

I love doing freemotion faces!

Once I start, I can't stop...

These are now small quilts, ready to hang on your wall!

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

List it Tuesday - things that work for me

Today's List it Tuesday prompt: Things that work for me.

Sometimes I wonder what works for me. Sometimes it seems as if nothing works for me. The truth is that no matter how bad things get, there are always things that work for me and I am so grateful for that.  Here's a short list:

* List it Tuesday! - Yes, making weekly lists works for me
      . . . . . for so many reasons

* 29 Faces - an online art challenge keeps me on track & creating

* Maintaining old connections with people - it's comforting

* Doing digital art every night - it's good productive quiet time

* Not attending tons of guild and groups - life is more relaxing

* Maintaining my blog - love to look back at my visual diary

* Having great friends - support from people that know me is the best

* Have hubby read to me at night - love the sound of his voice

* Creating things - self expression & creative growth makes me happy

* Living without debt - great not having anything hang over my head!

* Staying indoors during a snow storm - no explanation needed

Margarita Monday

One day I had lunch with Pops at his senior living home. I did that a lot of days, but on this one in particular, he was quite agitated about not getting his second ice cream. You see, every day and night he smiled and hugged all of the girls so he could weasel out of them 2 ice creams at lunch and 2 more at dinner. One was the max allowed. But he got his 2, twice a day, every single day. He was out growing his clothes, so I tried to get him to curb his neapolitan overload. He wasn't very thrilled about it either. To cheer him up I reminded him that there was ice cream in the bistro... a little old fashioned cafe with a juke box and popcorn machine right next to the dining room.... AND that day was margarita Monday. He looked at the ground and mumbled.. "stay here, I'll be right back".

I tried to ask where he was going but he wouldn't answer and just shuffled off. He was gone an unusually long time and I was starting to get worried. As I got up and moved toward the elevator, he stepped out of it. I was pretty shocked. He had changed his shirt. When I asked why he exclaimed with a big smile, " Well, it's Margarita Monday!" 

So here he is with is special, as he called it, Florida shirt and margarita in hand. This was our last margarita Monday.

Less than a week later he was in the hospital and three weeks after that.... he was gone.

We really miss you 'Pops' and think about you every day....you still make us giggle.

29 Faces in 28 Days - days 23

Called 'Looking for Stumpy'

Many of us participating are already worried about and/or experiencing withdrawals... the challenge ends in just a few days.

 ~

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

UPDATE to List it Tuesday

Please see the Update at the end of the List it Tuesday post for Feb 19.

I found a whole bunch of new things to stencil and stamp with!

And they were all free!

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 22

fabric face from a photo

then quilted

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 21

Prom Bride Princess

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

List it Tuesday - stencil materials

This week, it's odd stencil materials for our list. I love stencils. I use them every time I create something (almost anyway)...They add richness and texture and I am always on the hunt for some new and exciting materials. My fave place to find things to use for their non-intended use (see last weeks list) is the dollar store! Yep, you got it. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend that you march right over to your closest one. You'll smile all the way home.

For me stencils are interchangeable with silkscreens, templates, batik items and (rubber) stamps. I will use whatever I see that might make great image. . .  or at least try it out. Sometimes what seems like it will make a great image turns out to be a bomb in reality, but it's still fun to experiment.

So here's just a short list of tried and true standbys:
produce - cabbage, brussel sprouts, potatoes, lemons, carrots, peppers
my own photos - made into silk screen
utensils - potato mashers, knives, chopsticks, forks
screening, netting
fly swatters
bones
nuts, bolts, washers
laces
pipes
bottles
crumpled paper
bubble wrap

For more ideas, go to: http://artsyville.blogspot.com/


UPDATE:
I went to a little shop yesterday that had a pile of stuff ready to be given away or thrown away... all kinds of goofy things...

(possibly) too good to throw away.. but too crappy to keep or they just had no use for.... AND there are lots of recyclers out there after all..

So, here's just a small amount of what I got...2 big brown paper grocery bags full of FREEBIES!

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 20

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 19

Making lots of scarey faces these days.

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 days - day 18

Back to digital...

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 16 & 17

 I started out going in one direction today,

but ended up in a completely different one...

 

Both were done on canvas,

one with gesso applied first, the other not.

Layers of paint were applied, then stencils, papers and fabric.
 The freemotion face was stitched last.

I had numerous thread breaks...
and probably won't stitch on painted canvas any time soon.

At some point I will add embellishments.
~
Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

CRAFTSY CLASSES ON SALE!

CRAFTSY

is dedicated to providing the best

education and resources for crafters. 

Learn on your own time at your convenience.

Once you've registered the class never expires. 

 

Check out their courses in:

 quilting, knitting, jewelry making, food craft, spinning, weaving and more!

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR SALE CLASSES!

This offer expires Sunday, February 17, 2013, at midnight.

Don't Wait!

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 15

Just a goofy piece to say,

Happy Valentines Day!

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 14

I did this free motion face (actually I did 2 ) with the intent to paint it. 

I haven't gotten around to the painting after a week,

 so I thought I would post it in its naked state.

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

List it Tuesday - things used for unintended purposes

Todays List it Tuesday is all about: Things used for an intended purpose.

I have to laugh. That's how I use everything! I rarely use things for what they are supposed to be used for. Now, let's not be silly. Of course things like pots and pans get used normally, in the kitchen anyway...and until they're no longer useable for food...but most everything else is fair game.

So to prove it's true, here's a short list:

tupperware container for pie slices   used as paint bottle holder

prescription bottles for water jars

ironing board for painting & stamping surface 

water and pop (soda) bottles for dye bottles

scraps for garbage become quilts

kitchen utensils for batiking 

dining room as art/painting room

living room as sewing room

treadmill as closet

bedroom drapes as design wall

bed for an office - gotta love a laptop

car as storage for fabric & art supplies


* There's a lot more listy stuff to see @ http://artsyville.blogspot.com/

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 13

This was a photographic accident that became a 12 x 12 quilt.

Bored one day looking for a photo to make into a quilt, and tho I passed this one up many times before because it was a boo-boo, one to delete,

I just never did.

For some reason that day it spoke to me.

original photo

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 12

The last few days have been challenging.

I'm trying to work thru it.

 

Still working on 29 Faces.

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals. 

Milestones Winner!

The little dude and I both say,

Thank You to everyone for sharing your milestones with us.

The winner of the two patterns, selected at random is Vicky H. 

Check your email for a message from me.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 11

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

~

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals. 

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 10

My computer is my friend..

especially when it works properly!

~

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals. 

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 9

 Digital

 

Oh Ayala Art... you've created a monster!

~

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists:
http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face:artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals.

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 8

Went digital this time

 

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists: 

http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

 

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face: 

artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

 

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 7

Today is a total WTF day. I swear. You all think I'm nuts but there is some entity in my house doing weird things to my electrical stuff. So for more than a week it has been the computer. Today, my sewing machine.

I have been sewing on a machine for forty plus decades, and this has never, EVER happened before...  While I was sewing, the needle dropped out. Thankfully it didn't break. In fact, the top and bobbin thread were still intact, ready to do their job. That in its self is very odd, but then it gets even worse. I could not get the needle back in. It was like the hole had just closed up. Not kidding. Not being dramatic either. I was getting mad and for sure frustrated. What is going on?? The needle came out of a hole so the danged hole should still be there, right??

I ended up having to take the needle, bobbin, bobbin case, and faceplate area all apart just to get a needle back in... no, no, no... this should never happen... unless some trickster from the 'other side' is trying to be funny and torment me for some unknown reason. Ok now...haha.. now could you please let me go back to a normal boring yet peaceful day-to-day life? (miss you too Pops)

For this piece I took another scrap piece of fabric to use for the base, cut a scrap that had the face screened on it, tore some painted book pages with a Stencil Girl design, gessoed the paper down, added paint then stitching.

 Note: Please be respectful of my images, which are all originals. 

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is her baby:http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists: 

http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face: 

artfacedesigns.blogspot.com 

List it Tuesday - my choice!

This weeks List it Tuesday is all about whatever we want to list, rather than being given the prompts. I typed up a really nice post about what List it Tuesday has meant to me.... and with the blink of a computer hiccup, it was gone. I've found myself suddenly in computer hell for just over a week now and temped to list how I really feel about technology at the moment, but I am resisting and sticking with the original plan. I added an additional challenge, using one word to tell you -

How I feel about List it Tuesday:

happy -

I'm happy to have found Aimee and her list

It makes me happy to be part of it

thankful -

I'm thankful to have a place to visit and a group to be part of

introspective -

I've had to look inward to complete some of the lists

comradery -

I like the fact that friendships are forming as we meet online each week

awestruck -

I am in awe of the really cool talented peeps that list each week

supportive -

I love the fact that we are all vested in each others lives and can be so there and supportive to total strangers

suspenseful -

I love the suspense of seeing what gets posted each week plus the accompanying artwork and photographs

anticipation -

I can't wait to see the comments that other listers leave for me

growth - 

I am growing stronger and confident as an artist and
learning to open up more about my lfe

grateful -

I'm grateful to have found a soft place to land each week

Thank you to Aimee and all the gals at List it Tuesday!

There's more listy stuff to see @ http://artsyville.blogspot.com/

Had to add stitching

I couldn't help myself....

first photo: stitching added

second photo: back of piece

As for the recycling aspect, this canvas was someone's throw away.

I can't stand to see usable 'good' stuff pitched

when someone (me!) can use it for something.

(ding!)

link to artface: http://artfacedesigns.blogspot.com/

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 6

Back to fabric...

Here's an artsy fartsy face.

 

Though I have tons of fabric, none were the color I wanted for the skin... 

so like any obsessive creative person, I had to create it.

Heaven forbid that I be forced to use something too light or too dark

...no, no, no.

The face fabric was painted using one of my own silkscreens,

some paint added in other places here and there,

then some sketchy free motion stitching.

~

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is herbaby: http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists: 

http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face: 

artfacedesigns.blogspot.com

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 5

I've been feeling like I'm in the wrong group.

My group-mates all are wonderful artists, painters, charcoal users, watercolorists and I work primarily with fiber. Hmmmm.

So on a whim... (omg, I have so much other work to do)... 

I decided to see what I could whip up.

You want us to stretch outside of our comfort zone... 

ok, well this is it for me!

I cut a piece of heavy canvas, lightly sketched the face, colored in with Derwent Artbars (which I totally forgot I had), oh-so carefully ran a slightly dampened brush over each color to spread the paint, 

then added acrylic where I thought it needed it. 

I like the messy, drippy, fusion nature, so I added more water... 

just for fun.

It needs more work,

but I need to sit back for a few days and figure out what....

or I'll just wait and add some stitching (ding!)

~

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is herbaby: http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists: 

http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face: 

artfacedesigns.blogspot.com

29 Faces in 28 Days - day 4

Do you believe in spirits? I've been struggling with this for quite a while now. But, I do. This morning it happened again. I heard a crash. No not cars outside, but inside the house. I'm in one part of the house and in a totally different part, with no one around, a pile of things crash to the ground. I know who it is...

~ R.I.P. Jimmy: Tu eres ido, pero nunca se olvida, mi amigo ~

  

My best friend of twenty years passed suddenly away last year. He was bigger than life, Mr. Personality, the center of attention and yes, Mr. Entertainment. You may think I'm some nut job thinking that this departed one is moving things around in my house, but it has happened before. . . . on his birthday and the anniversary of his passing. Still think I'm crazy. . .  ask me about the missing cell phone some time.

So in anger, disbelief and pain, I cut out his image from black fabric, stitched it down and wrote him a personal note. He already knew what I was going to say. I'd said it all before, but I said it again. . . . 

Here's the link to Ayala Art. This project is herbaby: http://ilove2paint.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to the list of participating artists: 

http://29faces.blogspot.com/p/contact.html

This link will take to to my artFace blog dedicated to all things face: 

artfacedesigns.blogspot.com