Handmade from the heart

Nothing makes me as happy as giving a homemade card. I get to be creative while adding all the little things I know the person loves and adores in one package.
I recently made a birthday card for my friend's husband. He loves elephants, so I found a cute version online (Thanks, Indie Craft Parade). I started with an old book page, painted it in the color of my choosing, then traced off the elephant with a Sharpie. Next, I cut it out.
One of my favorite products is Strathmore's Creative Cards. You can draw, stamp, paint, etc on them. They are the equivalent to blank cards, but for artists. I used the fluorescent white with a deckle edge. After I painted the background, I applied the cut-out elephant with glue and added in the finishing touches - like the tail and white tusk. I placed an elephant on both sides and filled the inside with quotes that reminded me of him.

Then, I gifted the same family with a Valentine's Day package. I used one of the Strathmore envelops (as mentioned above), traced off a quirky heart and colored it in with Prismacolor colored pencils. I blended them with an alcohol blender pen, creating an almost velvety texture. I painted an old book page with white/silver paint and black ink. I applied part of the page to the flap of the envelop. Then, I tore strips of the page to make stripes going behind the heart. (The same stripes appear on the opposite side under the flap when closed).
I filled the envelop with:
A bookmark, a set of 12 card stock calendar cards, a fold-out heart that reads verb on one side/love on the other (because love is a verb), a tiny envelop made from a heart and filled with hearts, and a personal message written inside of homemade card.
The best part...I left it in their mailbox when visiting one evening. A little surprise in the mail always brightens a person's day.

I also took "scrap" painted pages from previous projects and combined them to make 2 fabulous hearts - one for my daughter, one for my mom. I traced out the hearts on a sheet of card stock. Next, I glued down the page pieces (careful not to put the same colors next to each other), making sure to overlap the edge of the heart outline. After the whole area was covered, I turned the card stock over and cut out the heart. (The outline shows through when held up to the light.)
I placed my daughter's heart inside of a Valentine's Day card and my mom's heart was included in a homemade envelop with a necklace.

I started out by gifting my mail art buddies Christmas cards for the holidays. I hope I can continue to make these cards for my family and friends this year. They bring so much joy!


Until next time - Remember love is a verb! It requires your attention and actions to keep it alive!

Cheers for the year in beer!

As you all know...if you read my blog (or know me personally), we enjoy a good beer in my household. And I don't mean Budweiser, Miller, Coors Light or any of that weak stuff!
I mean imports, micro brews and beer that's been "crafted". Companies that put as much thought into their packages and names as they do their taste.

Recently, I found the newest (Spring) release by Newcastle in the grocery store.  It's called Founders' Ale. It's a very refreshing, "milder" version of the original. If you enjoy a pale ale or belgian white (such as Blue Moon, Shock Top) this is the beer for you. I tend to like a beer I can add a slice of orange or lemon to, and this is it.

This is one of four different beers they have. You can see the rest on my previous blog entry entitled - Newcastle Werewolf!

 

Here is a list of the recent Winter and Spring releases by various beer companies:

Blue Moon Brewing Company

The Brewmaster's Spring Sampler: Belgian Style Pale Ale, Belgian White (original), 

Spring Blonde Wheat Ale and a limited Spring release - Valencia Amber Ale.

Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada's spring release is called Ruthless Rye. The winter release was called Celebration Ale. 

I am very happy to report that Sierra Nevada recently chose North Carolina for the site of its newest distribution plant. For those of you 21 and older, here's the news release straight from the company. 

Sierra Nevada Chooses Asheville‐Area for Eastern Brewery Expansion

If not, here's the release from the local paper:

Sierra Nevada to invest $107M in Henderson County, NC

Magic Hat Brewing Company

 Magic Hat Brewing Company seems to have the most fun "entertaining" its beer drinkers. 

From the packaging, to the bottle (under the cap), to the website - these guys know how to party.

 This Winterland Variety 12-pack includes: #9, Encore, Howl and Ravell (3 of each).

New Belgium Brewing Company

New Belgium Brewing Company is always coming up with a different brew. 

Their Lips of Faith collection covers something for every beer taste. 

Also, check out the other brews, such as Dig Pale Ale - it's the newest brew for Spring, ya dig?

Before I go, I couldn't leave you without mentioning art. I spotted these two beauties at a specialty beer and wine store in the area. 

One of my favorite artist and all-around inspirations, Frida Kahlo, is featured on the box of this Mexican beer, Bohemia. I have no idea what it tastes like...but I HAVE to buy a six pack! It's a keeper!

I was not familiar with Adrien Brouwer before seeing this beer (More info). But I loved the "story" on the bottle and had to take a pic.

Well, I hope this post was more than enough to wet your palate and spur your creativity while buying beer. Experiment and try something new. You might even find your favorite in the least likely place.

Until next time, Happy Drinking...and as always, be safe and drink responsibly! 

New Year, new start

Well, my friends, it's 2012! The past year sure did fly by.
For me, it was filled with many ups and downs. But, as any aging adult knows...such is life.
The roller coaster is always ready for passengers and it never takes the same course twice. Sometimes you get off the ride and feel elated. Ready to ride again. Other times, you exit with bumps and bruises and a sense of being ripped off. No one exits completely unscathed. We all take our hits, but hopefully learn something about ourselves along the way.

I'll spare everyone (including myself) all the bad and focus on the good.
Some of the most noteworthy things from this year are as follows:

* I finished my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project in January, turned it in and visited it later in April for the Sketchbook Project Tour in ATL. I met many friends during the SBP and am now exchanging mail art packages with a few of them, including Nature's My Friend and Saylor Made.

* I DID manage to start this blog and keep it going for a few months. (just to taper off as the holidays came near). I shared my garden, my kitchen and my quirky life with all of you. I am back at it again and will do my best not to disappear again! 

 * I got my first tattoo (pictured above) from a true tattoo ARTIST, Terry Harwood at Lady Liberty Tattoo Parlor in South Carolina. This was a very unexpected Christmas present from Scott. The whole discussion about the tattoo, the appointment being set up and the actual inking was done in a matter of 2 days! And to anyone who knows me...I'm not very impulsive or rash in my decision making. I have no regrets and plan to see him again for a least 1 more tattoo.

* I met some new friends (a high school friend of Scott's) who seems to be living a similar, although crazy life, with an unusual work schedule. I have been very pleased to find people who instantly feel like you've know them all your life. I can't say I expected things to turn out like they have...but I'm sure glad they did. Here's to you Michele and Brian!

I could go on and on, and that alone tells me that even though some things didn't turn out quite the way I planned, I can't complain. I've been blessed with a loving and supportive fiance. I've made countless new friends (some of which I will never let go of) and I'm here to celebrate another year of life.

So, here's to 2012!
Make the most of what you have now, learn from the bad, and always dream for more.

Until next time...Hold on for the ride (it gets bumpy sometimes)!

A moment of rest

In our busy lives, it's often hard for us to take a moment of rest. Between work schedules, school, housework, homework and a multitude of other things - life gets crazy!
I recently spotted this quote: "Life should be simple - not unchallenging, just not so complicated."
I couldn't have said it better myself. 

Recently, these "critters" were spotted at the house taking a breather:

The moth was stationary for almost a whole day. It was of substantial size compared to most moths. It sat in one spot while I took these pictures - only opening its wings slightly to show off the striped edges. It was gone by the next morning. (I hope it moved on to live a longer life and it didn't become bat food).

The praying mantis was perched on the edge of the porch - guarding the yard. A tiny overseer of the world around him. He was very alert and turned to look at me while I was taking his picture. He moved only slightly (to the opposite edge of the post). Scott was standing in the yard and asked for my camera. He captured the praying mantis staring at him intently - as if he was wondering what Scott was doing (or maybe he knew and was smiling for the camera).

These creatures seemed to be taking in life's little moments - never sure when it will be their last. Maybe we could all take a lesson from these guys.

Until next time - It doesn't matter where you choose to take your moment, in the sun or the shade, as long as you take it.

A perfect Saturday

Well, if you read my previous blog post, you know I had quite an adventure last Saturday...and it all started with the Farmer's Market and Indie Craft Parade.

The Greenville downtown area is the perfect place to park and walk from one end to the other. What a better place to have a Farmer's Market on a Saturday morning? The sun was shining and the temperatures have started to cool down. It's the perfect tease before Fall in the South.

The Farmer's Market has more than 50 vendors who line the streets every Saturday morning from May to October. It opens at 8 a.m., but don't worry...you can grab a coffee and breakfast while you are there.

Here's a quick look at the items along the way to Indie Craft Parade:

The beautiful display of peppers at the Lanhere Farm table (grown in Taylors).

Sunflowers for a sunny morning.

A variety of jarred goodies.

Honey for sale.

Colorful eggplants in a crate.

After enjoying the sites, sounds and tastes of the Farmer's Market, we made our way to Huguenot Mill for the Indie Craft Parade. It was a pleasure to see some old faces and to experience the new. Here's a look at the things we saw and some of my personal favorites:

Lily Pottery

Lazymuse

Maie Dae

Illyria Pottery

Booklaces from Illyria Pottery

Once Again Sam

Curiosities from Once Again Sam

Merciful Hearts Farm

Shed Labs

I also spent time talking to several other shops I would like to mention. My sweet ladies at Owlette Collective, Jason Waggoner at GREENville Books, yummy homemade marshmallows at Malo, Cindy Jantz from The Herb Garden, and last but certainly not least, Joseph Bradley from Joseph Bradley Studios.

We had a great time at the Farmer's Market and Indie Craft Parade this year. As always, we will be back next year to see what the crafters have in store for us. Please take the time to visit these shops and support the local community. There are many talented artisans who would appreciate your help.

Until next time - Happy Crafting or what ever it is you enjoy!

Shiny "old" toy

Well, I must say...this past weekend was quite an adventure!
I spent my Saturday morning in downtown Greenville at the Indie Craft Parade, followed by an afternoon of competitive college football (USC vs. Georgia - Congrats USC!) and then I was off to see Eye Empire play at the Handlebar.

On Sunday afternoon, I went to meet up with a girl from Garden Daisies, an Etsy shop, who was selling this gem. It's an Argus C3, a rangefinder camera produced from 1939 to 1966 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. All of the knobs and gadgets make this a very scientific-looking camera and a complete beauty to me! Since the camera was mass-produced and has been credited for making 35mm photography "popular", it's not a collector's item. I'm not concerned because I'm not looking to get rid of it anyway : )

I took the camera to a local photo shop yesterday and had them take a look at it. (I was having a hard time opening the back of the camera and didn't want to tear anything up). The seller had told me the camera had a roll of Kodachrome film inside!
If you are not familiar with the Kodachrome story - check out this link and view the slideshow (plus, it's a good read!). The Last Roll of Kodachrome
Sure enough - the Kodachrome roll was inside - although, the film was loose from the canister. Still a pretty cool thing to see. I can't wait to get this thing cleaned/oiled up and take a few shots.
I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes. Wish me luck!

Mail art joy and (almost) sorrow

I recently asked one of my new found friends in Canada if she would like to do a mail art swap with me. I have been enamored with Jeannine Saylor's blog Saylor Made for a while now. She has beautiful control over watercolor (which I have never quite mastered). I sent this lovely package to her and she featured it in her Mail Art Monday blog segment. I can't wait to see what Jeannine has in store for my return package. (I secretly hope there's a watercolor in there).

This past weekend, a long awaited package arrived from Jessica Gowling at Nature's My Friend. She sent this package to me around the same time I posted mine to Jeannine. We both had our doubts about whether it would show...but finally it did!
 
The package contained: a beautiful altered page (incredible!), a bear print (with a lovely handwritten message on back), two postcards (one a poster design and the other a clever photograph), two notes cards that read..."Let's talk about How Fabulous you think I am" and two cut-outs (one of an amazing owl and the other of the Easy Slider snow sled - "King of the Hill").

Jessica is a pro at putting these packages together. I hope my return package will be just as enjoyable to her. And next time...I'll give the post service a bit longer before I lose faith!