Battling Varmits!

Greetings!
I recently found out what steampunk is! I've seen the style many times but never knew what to call it. Anyway, I like it a lot and always have, so when I started thinking about designing a new kit, steampunk seemed liked a good idea. Besides, right now everyone's doing autumn or halloween and I want to do something different. So look for that kit as a freebie here sometime in the near future.

Since we moved down here by the river we've been at war with the wildlife. They get into our garbage every night. And now that we have cornstalks decorating the front of our house they are trashing those too. Now I know they're adorable, and I don't want to hurt them...well sometimes I do, but I really wish he'd move on.
Here's the main culprit:

Don't let his cuteness deceive you, he's a bad boy!

I'm hoping he hibernates pretty soon...

Diane

Well, since I haven't posted anything for a while, here's somewhat of an update...

Brendan started Kindergarten last month. He's been having a hard time paying attention though. Like father, like son I guess. He also had his first dentist visit...he's getting his 6 year molars. I forgot what teething is like for kids, the fevers and crankiness...hope he gets them in soon!

This was taken his first day of school...

I haven't posted any art or well, anything for a while, but here's some Halloween wallpaper for you. Hope you like it!

Till next time...

August Artwork

Yesterday I posted that today I'd have art, so here it is...various ATCs that I've done for the swap groups I'm in. I'm especially fond of the belly dancer doll...her hips wiggle! Although you can't tell from the picture, she has a reinstone in her belly button. I like her so much I almost
don't want to trade her!
I also like the sun/moon ATC. I painted it myself and I think it turned out pretty good.

Hope you enjoyed them! Till later,

Diane

My Workspace ... Organized?

Today I thought I'd show you the place I seem to spend most of my time...my kitchen. Well, part of my kitchen. I organized all of my art stuff here at the counter where we're supposed to be able to eat. The area has great light all day, a nice breeze most of the time and best of all, I can cook dinner and still work on projects. Have a look:

Yeah, that's a shoe...I'm altering it to make a doorstop. I'll post pics when I'm finished.

Hey, artwork will be getting posted soon, either tonight or tomorrow. Till then....

July Art

Good morning! As promised, here's the artwork, at least most of it, that I've done in July.

First, a couple of APCs for 4x6 Expressions:

These are a few random ATCs I'll probably put up for trade at ATC Connection:

And these are the ATCs for Altered Designs TGIFs:

That's about it for now...

Diane

Catching Up

The Topic of the Week at Altered Designs is where do you post your artwork and since this is where I do that, I thought I'd better do some catching up :)

So first of all, we moved from a townhouse in the city to a little cottage-like house down by the river. Every morning I go out on the deck and listen to the birds sing their greetings to the sun and watch the fish jump. Every once in a while I spot a beaver or ground hog, and just last night,a raccoon tried to come inside and make himself at home. Here's some pics....

Next post will be all the artwork I haven't posted in the last month...this may take a while...lol!

Diane

moving day

Well, we're moving again. Finally out of a townhouse and back into a sweet little house by the river. I feel so blessed today that we had the good fortune to find it and wonderful friends who have volunteered to help us. All the stress of moving is making my Parkinson's worse so I'm afraid I'll be pretty useless by tomorrow, but I'll just keep plugging away and it all will eventually get done. Anyway, once we get all moved in I'll post pictures. Please pray for us...we're going to need all the help we can to get through the week. Thanks. Diane

Artfully productive weekend

Although my house looks like a tornado went through it, this weekend was fairly productive artistically. I finished an ATC for Altered Designs:

and started working on some ATCs for ATC connection:

And I made my first ATC doll. I think she's cute:

As for today, I'll probably need a backhoe to get this place back into shape...wish me luck!

Diane

Busy, busy, busy

Here's my latest collages, something for my husband and three ATCs for the Altered Designs group. Right now I'm planning something BIG, literally. It will probably measure 20 x 26 inches and will take some time. Till I can do it, I'm working on a large board book to keep my growing collection of ATCs in.

I've been doing some digital collage, my printer is almost out of ink and I have to wait till I can get more. So, till I do, digital will have to do. These all make great wallpaper, so feel free to save them!

Hope you enjoyed! See ya!

Diane

Pretty Wallpaper Gift

I was killing some time on Photoshop and made this wallpaper. It turned out so nice I thought I'd share it. Hope you enjoy! Here's the link to the download:
http://www.4shared.com/file/110228716/8bfecb8/flowergirls.html
Have a great day!

America

Inspired by watching the news and having a family meeting regarding our finances, I stayed up with insomnia and created this piece.
What is America coming to?

Goofing off...

Brendan's mad at me today for "goofing off" on the computer all morning. Playing in photoshop is a great distraction from the pain that happens whenever the weather gets too damp and besides, I'm out of printer ink and I really wanted to use this picture. I won't go into details about what I went through to find it...suffice it to say when you type "vintage nudes" into a search engine you are bound to find porn...and btw, did you know that vintage includes the '70's?
Feeling older than I did yesterday...

Phone book page ATC

Here's my actual entry in the phone book page TGIF mingle on Altered Designs. I goofed with the other and made it huge, but this one's an actual card. I hope whoever gets it will enjoy it.

Phone Book page challenge

This is my entry for the phone book page challenge on Altered Designs. What do you think...it's my first challenge!

My first try at ATCs

I finally got brave and tried my hand at "real" collage. I love it! It's messy and more time consuming but also more stress reducing, at least till it's time to clean up. I can't wait to do more!
Well, here they are...my first shot at ATC's...

New stuff

Lots of new stuff added to The Witches Cupboard Etsy site! We have bent willow wands with gemstones woven into the branches. They're gorgeous!

We've also added our own incense...the same kind we use ourselves...charged the way we charge our own. Smells wonderful! Great for spellwork too!

Coming soon: Spell kits, homemade soap and lotions...boy you're in for a treat with these!

And more jewelry coming to Persephone Plays soon!

Free shipping offer

Both Etsy stores are having a special right now. Persephone Plays offers free ground shipping on all orders over $20.00. The Witches Cupboard is offering free ground shipping on all orders over $25.oo.

All items at both stores are handmade by my son or myself. There's something for almost everyone and lots of great gift ideas. Here's the latest additions:

From The Witches Cupboard: Wonderfully scented Dream Pillows, larger than most you'll find anywhere else, will help you drift into sleep.

Also at The Witches Cupboard: Winter's Bane Skin Balm. Emolient oils and healing herbs will protect your skin from the harshness of winter.

From Persephone Plays: Red Wire Wrapped Hematite Necklace. Genuine hematite gemstones, known for their protective qualities, wrapped in shiny red wire...a great gift for the teenage girl or maybe even yourself.

From Persephone Plays: Green Jasper Wrapped in Silver Plated Wire Necklaceand Earrings Set. Beautiful green jasper beads wrapped in silver plated coils of wire into a very elegant set.

Come over to our Etsy stores and check us out. We are very reasonably priced and add new items nearly ever day. And don't forget our free ground shipping offer, it won't go on forever.