Art Junk Girl~

Monthly Mosaic & May Giveaway...

I got a little sidetracked with announcing my giveaway this month! I decided that I am going to enter everyone who commented in the month of MAY. I will use the random number selector and announce the winner tomorrow, Ok! If you'd like to be included, just leave your comment on this post and check back tomorrow. I simply cannot believe that it will be JUNE tomorrow. This year is flying by. Wow. I love doing these "monthly mosaics" so I can reflect back on what I made and the highlights of places I went in each month. I take way too many pictures...probably why my Mac crashed...well, lessons learned.

Oh, yeah, the giveway...see how I get sidetracked?! The giveaway will be a copy of my very first mini-zine. "Art Junk". I will also include an original Artist Trading Card, signed and dated on the back. I made this little mini-zine last year but haven't shared it yet. I found it buried in my studio during a dig out. I found alot of junk buried in there. I'll share some more of it on here soon.

Talk soon friends. Especially my Mark Harmon compadres... lol.... hee....you all crack me up!!!

p.s. Here are the titles to the individual photos in the monthly mosaic from my flickr album~ You can go to the links directly by clicking here.
1. new collages 4 x 4, 2. new collages, 3. gluebook journal~, 4. self-portrait, 5. National Harbor Resort, 6. anniversary journal page~, 7. fridays.finds.art books, etc., 8. moleskine journal page, 9. journal page, 10. ~dorothy box made by JJ!, 11. little "wedding" shelf, 12. walkin' into kids school, 13. itty bitty book club wip, 14. "very soon" inchie~, 15. 1 x 1 inch square collage, 16. we picked up cha today!!!, 17. journal page in my new moleskine~, 18. inchie closeup (this last batch), 19. first page, moleskine no. 5, 20. In memory of 34, 21. new inchie~, 22. friday's finds, 23. Follow Your Bliss Designs~, 24. moleskine 4, 25. "more" journal page (at an angle).. (picnik version), 26. you saw it here first..., 27. journal page, recent, 28. poster at usna, 29. workin' on some new pieces~, 30. Show and Tell Sunday Post~, 31. for Show and Tell Sundays~, 32. queen pin collection, 33. Front yard view~, 34. my vintage card collection~, 35. outsiders inchie, 36. for scrappy jessi's favorite childhood toy party~

10 things....

self-portrait, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

10 things you should know about me...

1. I'm not the best emailer in the world. That doesn't mean I don't care, it just means I like to respond in longer prose, and I usually don't have time to do so, so I wait. When you do get an email from me, it will usually be long. You know this if you've gotten one from me, right?

2. I worry alot about my weight. I think about it too much. "Am I fat"? "I'm fat." " I'm going to be fat." I know I shouldn't, but I do. We all have our "tissues", that's one of mine. It's just one of things that's never left me alone.

3. I am generally a happy-go-lucky person. I smile at people I don't know. I sing in the grocery store. I look people in the eye when I talk to them. I really, really, don't like when people are mean. I take it personally. It makes me angry. I don't like being angry. That's another thing you should know.

4. I think children are the most magnificant beings on the planet and that we should do everything we can to protect, nuture, love and support them as much as is humanly possible. Children have everything to teach us. Just talk to one today. They will teach you something. I promise. Tell them they are awesome. They will remember it forever. I promise.

5. I think I talk too much sometimes and it's gotten me in "trouble" before. It's taught me alot about people and life though. It's also taught me that sometimes it's a good idea to be quiet. There is a time to speak up and a time to be quiet. That's why I like doing art, I can talk there all I want and no one get's mad at me....at least not yet...

6. I like to drink coffee, tea, and CrystalLite lemonade. More than I should.

7. I eat icecream. Late at night.

8. I watch Nancy Grace.

9. I think Mark Harmon is Hot, but I can't watch NCIS anymore because of all the graphic violence that really freaks me out and the guy with the accent get's on my 9th nerve.

10. I am not very good at math. Not at all.

~LK

a long weekend post...

Dear Friends~
Hope you are having a nice holiday weekend! I'm hoping to get some much needed R & R! Things have been kind of crazy with fric and frac back at home from "collegio". I've managed to work on my art journal in fits and starts over the last week. I think they reflect how I feel lately. A bit overwhelmed. The pages are so much more crowded. When I start out a page, I don't really start with an idea of what I'm going to "say". I start grabbing papers and pasting them around and then an image or word will take me in a certain direction. Do I like the way the way all my pages turn out? Heck no. But that's not why I journal. I journal as a way of releasing stress, working things out, and using images to speak that which I cannot always put into words. It's actually a very cathartic experience for me. Sure I have my, "I just want to make a pretty page" days, but that again is satisfying a need...a need to escape into a pretty little world for a while. That's what I love about art journalling and art in general. You just never know. The possibilities are endless.

Anyhow, I just started my 5th moleskine journal and this is one of the first pages. I'm having a hard time "breaking" this one in. I've been collaging in it mostly, but I think it's time to paint some pages to "kick it up a notch".
I've also been "simultaneously" working in my "gluebook"/drawing pad journal. Here's a page from that one.
(made mostly from magazine clippings and copies of my inchies)..
Speaking of painting.....there is nothing I'd want to do more right now, but the studio clean up has kind of put that on the back burner. Not for long, though. I am longing to make big paint messes everywhere and I intend to this summer! Would you like a sneak peak into my new studio space in unfinished part of our laundry room (which I prefer to think of as warehouse space I'm renting in new york...lol..). Here's the "frou-frou" side...there is another side I'm working on too. I have a painting area, an altered book project shelf, a sewing area, etc.
BTW, the center piece of art on the shelf is a print I bought from a fave artist, Ali J Art and Illustration. Ok, so, as you can see, this is the longest post ever, so why not make it longer? I appreciate everyone's feedback yesterday. I'm really trying to organize myself and this blog and your opinions and suggestions really mean alot to me. Thank you also for the kind words! I know that a blog should be anything you want it to be, but there are READERs and they are important too. If I have something to offer, I would like to do that as it will make the whole experience more meaningful to me.
Anyhow, I also wanted to share a pic of these cool books I picked up at the local used bookshop. They are having their 50% sale again! I saw the sign when I was out runningaround doing errands with the "son" (a.k.a. ferris). Some real goodies here and I got them for as much as you would pay for one of the new somerset studio magazines..lol...

So, hmmm....I think that's all the happenin's at the art junk camp (for now). I will be announcing a give-away on Tues. (after the long weekend), so stay tuned. If you responded to my last post survery, you are already entered! Thank you for your feedback and support. xoxoox lia

A summer "artjunk" Survey!~I need feedback!

polka-dot artjunk mosaic~, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

Have a great day my friends. I'm going to announce a giveaway soon, so stay tuned...still putting it together. I'd like some feedback on what you'd like to see/hear more about this summer as my time will be somewhat limited. You can pick one or two or none. I tend to be all over the place and I need you all to focus me!! Please respond in the comments or email me, artjunkgrl@yahoo.com.

1. Art Journals, making, completing, prompts, supplies, etc. (I may be able to work on a few "tip-in" pages if you would like to send me a loose page and collage bits).

2. Inchies. We want to see more inchies. (I have a bunch I haven't posted). I still make them. yeah.

3. Your life. We want to see more about your everyday boring life...not as much art junk.

4. Your junk. We love seein' your junk. Show us more, we know you have a secret stash of goodies. You haven't even shown us your teacups yet...

5. Art Studio-We want to see your art studio already. Are you done yet?

6. Blogtalkradio- we'd like to hear you interview more art peeps.

Ok, I think that's it. Boy did I get a wild hair today! I guess I'm feeling the need for some direction here. If I don't have alot of interest, I may go on a summer respite. Let me know your thoughts. It's hard to know with blogging because sometimes it feels like there is no one out there. Well, that's not completely true. I know you all are out there, but I think some feedback would be helpful from you...I'm just tossing these things around as I'm doing my (late) spring cleaning. I'm almost done cleaning out my clothes closet. I am hanging on to this one pair of skinney jeans. I don't care what oprah says. I'm not getting rid of it. So I digress, as I throw out the rest of the old, it's time to bring in some new. Wow, I've gotten alot of cleaning done since my computer crashed! Another reason to think about focussing my time online...but then I don't want to blog less if there is an interest in my sharing...cause I like to share and inspire others. And the whole polka-dot thing...we can have fun with that.. .maybe even a swap. Ok, I better get back to cleaning. I'm sorry to be so mish-mosh today. Anyhoo...I promise, double promise pics of my studio soon. I still don't have my computer back from the shop, so I've been lazy about loading pictures on the family computer.
talk soon, I hope. xo lia

I love polka-dots, apparently....

moleskine spread, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

Dear Friends~
It's official, I now love polka-dots. I know, I know, I still love squares, yes, I do, I do. But, recently I've discovered that it's been all about polka-dots. They are showing up everywhere in my journals, things I buy, my clothes. It's polka-dots and squares and circles, oh my! Now I have a new discovery that will help me avoid alll the things I should be doing! great fun! I want to make a photo mosaic of my polka's, ok. I'll do it soon. Oh, this is so exciting! I love when I discover something new like this. Ok, any other polka-dotters out there? Let's go. xoxoxo Lia

Family "heirlooms", a full house, and a clean studio?

Dear Friends~
My dining room table is still cleared off....art junk is almost all moved to my downstairs studio. Next week, I intend to do a "walk-through" and take pics of my little nook for you all to see. I love sharing my space and recording it here as well. After the "crash", I realized that having this blog is a way of keeping a record of all these photos as well as the journalling. It's also made me see, once again, how I have a hard time merging my art with my family doings (at least sharing them online). I do this mostly to protect their privacy, but in doing so, I didn't have all my family pics backed up on flickr. I have a pro account, so I could have done that...anyhow, I've learned my lesson and I'm backing things up like a crazy person hence forth. To clarify, I didn't lose all my family photos, but I did lose a large amount of them. I take a gagillion pics of my kids, although you would not know that by looking at my blog... Anyhow, I got sidetracked here....I wanted to share this beautiful piece above that my Mom gave me several years ago. "She" is named "Andrea" (the inscription is underneath) and she is handpainted. I don't bring her "out" of the china cabinet often as I fear that my lacrosse playing son, (aka. "don't throw that ball in this house) will somehow cross paths with her. So, last night, I put her back in the china cabinet...which means YES, my SON is home!!!!!!!
There is really so much I'd like to share on this blog...for there is so much that inspires me, just around my house alone. I am hoping to do more of that this summer. I have lots of little projects under wraps right now, but you will be the first to see/hear of them as they are completed. One of the biggies is working on my kids books this summer. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I've wanted to do this so much and that I have a hard time "arting" up their photos and including them in my work. I recently purchased a lovely book that is going to help me do that. "The Art of Personal Imagery: Expressing Your Life Through Collage
by Corey Moortgat". So far, I've been devouring every page, words of advice, teaching and treasure that this book has. I cannot say enough about it..only that I am kicking myself for not buying it sooner! Sometimes the thing we need to read the most is the one we avoid. Ok, so that's my speal for today. lol. love you all. Have a great weekend everyone! I have a full house once again. Here are my oldest babies, my greatest inspiration. xoxo lia

first page, moleskine no. 5, learn to fly.

first page, moleskine no. 5, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

I got started on my 5th moleskine last night...the hardest part is just peeling the plastic off...I am going to start taking that off right after I buy it. I notice that it will just sit there for a few days so I can look at it's newness. lol. Anyhow, have you all visited my JournalJunk blog lately? The JournalJunk group is now a year old! We have over 500 members, many of which post new journal pages daily. My absolute FAVE email is when people write me and tell me they started "their new journal". There are many resources listed in the flickr group and blog. Go see and get started on that journal. Rip that plastic coating off before you get home, ok? xoxox lia

Ok, so, my work disappeared in an instant...

Yup, my Mac crashed 20 minutes before the "live" blogtalkradio show this past week. Yup, it just went kaput. No warning, no bells, no whistles, nada. I was getting ready to log into blogtalk when it started to slow down and make noises like an airplane taking off...So, I did what I've always been taught to do, I rebooted. Well, let's just say my little mac world never came back. I got the dreaded "gray-blue" screen, more airplane take-off sounds and no sight of a years worth of photos, work, slideshows, etc. etc. nothing. I knew it was a done deal. I just had that feeling. Here's the really bad part: I didn't, no, I didn't have all my photos backed up. While I had the "important" events double backed up (my son's matriculation, other ceremonial stuff, holidays, etc.), my day to day pics, you know the one's...they are gone. vanished. in an instant. I know this for sure as I got the "confirmation call" this morning. The only way to get the data off is to do a manual-take apart of the drive ($1500). Now, my mac is under warranty, so they will replace it, but what about all those memories, all those photos of my day to day mundane stuff? It's gone. Nothing to show for it except a pile of rubble.
So, as you can imagine, I've been totally out of sorts. I feel so shaken. Mostly because I realized in an instant how everything and anything can be wiped away in a second. It's also made me realize how nothing material can every truly be sustained. I feverishly record our day to day with photos, montages, etc. I'm left thinking how many hours I wasted...all for not. Is it real or is it memorex? I don't know. I have to sort that all out. In the meantime, I need a backup plan.
Be back soon. xo lia

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

I made this quiltie a few years back. This is a picture of my mom at her sewing machine at a very young age. She is in Greece right now and I miss her! Happy Mother's Day to all Mother's around the world!
xo Lia

Interview with MaryAnn of FollowYourBliss and Founder of Friday Finds! today!

Follow Your Bliss Designs~, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

Itty-Bitty Book MaryAnn made for me with her wonderful signature touches!!

Dear Friends,
I am very excited about my "blogtalkradio" show today at 1:30 p.m. EST. I will be interviewing MaryAnn of FollowYourBliss Designs and Blog. MaryAnn is also the founder of the flickr group, "Friday Finds", so in her honor, I will share some of my finds for this week!
Hope you can tune in to the interview!

My favorite "find" of the week is the little silver tin's that Target carries in their dollar bin. These are super handy (and I'm a containerizing fool) so I can't resist buying just a few more of these when they have them in stock!
You can see more photos and join fridayfinds on flickr by going here.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!! Hope to "see" you on chat during the radio show!!
xoxox lia

BlogTalkRadio Share Next Show: 5/9/08 Interview with MaryAnn McKeating!

One day until the next *live* ArtJunkTalk Radio show! Check out MaryAnn's website, Follow Your Bliss Designs. You can visit blogtalkradio by going to their direct website here.

you saw it here first...

you saw it here first..., originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

it's official....my dining room table is cleared off...news at 11.

studio update soon.

L.

Favorite Supplies?

wip's...., originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

Email states~

Hi Lia,

I love your artwork! Can you please in an upcoming post talk more about your favorite art supplies? I specifically want to know more about what kinds of pens and glue you use. Maybe you can do a blog post on the contents of your messenger bag?

-w.
*********
Answer:
Thank you for writing.

Short answer (the babble free version):

Glue sticks (3M scotchbrand is fave)

Pens:
gel pens, micron .05 pens, sharpie poster markers, paint pens, ball-point pens

Lots of scrappy paper of the leftover variety. I keep little bins and boxes of them and then grab them when I'm ready to work.

watercolor paper, 140 lb. cold press

cheap acrylics: I do like the apple barrel kind alot

GESSO for thin pages

What's in my messenger bag:
~one or two art magazines
~a spiral notebook for notes
~glue sticks
~scissors.
~an envelope of scrap paper for journalling on the road
~my moleskine
~pen pouch with my minimum supplies: pencil/pen and gel pens
~starbucks card

Longer answer:
to be continued.....

Show and Tell Sundays!

Dear Friends,
We are going to talk "junkin'" again today! I decided to participate in Show and Tell Sunday's theme this week, entitled, "show us your favorite antique/fleamarket, etc. shop". Technically, the challenge this week from one of the group leaders, the lovely Cerri of LittlePInkStudio was to go on a "fieldtrip" there. Well, I just happened to be there a few weeks ago. I don't get to go but twice as year as it's not near my home. It has been, however, my fave place to go "junk huntin'". I looove Antique Malls, especially this one. The reason is that I know the booths quite well, and they have been, for the most part, usually the same trusty and wonderful vendors.

For instance, I always b-line it straight to "the pin lady's" booth. No one is there usually, so I don't know her name, but I do know she has a collection of junk jewelry and I love purusing through it each time I go. For a while, she carried these crown pins. I only have one left. I bought one for each of my bestest friends here in town and they all have a different one. I didn't see any this last jaunt, so I suppose they've become more sought after in the last few years or she has exhausted what seem to be, a never ending supply of them!

Emmitsburg Antique Mall

Now, I don't have lots of pics of the inside of the mall, as I often feel awkward taking pictures and am usually too shy to ask...so I only have a few pics of the outside sign. Click on the above link to see their website/pictures of the shop!

Here are a pics of a few more finds I go this week. I love these barbie cases, and this one was a steal.

I also can always find boxes of vintage cards here for a steal. You can check my "summer junkin' trails" photo album on flickr to see more shops I've visited. Summer is usually the only time I have to go huntin' and I am pretty well stocked right now..but I'm sure I have a trip or two in me this summer and I will share it with you here!

xo lia

Scrappy Jessi's Favorite Childhood Toys Party!*Updated* post

toy party, originally uploaded by scrappyjessi.

Hello dear friends!!
I will be posting later today for this fabulous meme!! You must go to scrappyjessi's blog right NOW and check out the one's that are already up or click on this photo and it will take you to her flickr and you can start there!!!!
xo lia

p.s. stop giving me a hard time for being late with my "homework" Mar's!!!
:)

************** Ok, I just came up for "air". I totally love doing meme's like this as it always makes me happy to travel down memory lane. Especially vintage toy lane! For those who don't know my work well, much of it comes from my love for vintage imagery and nostalgia. I grew up surrounded by it as my parents had kids later in life. My Dad, a WWII vet, used to walk around saying, "I've been around since speak-easy's"! LOL. He was a hoot. He has since passed away and doing my art is a way I stay close to him...putting all those fun little bits into my inchies and such. Although I don't talk about it alot, many of the collages I've made are about my Dad, my chilldhood moments or things I loved growing up. I also surround myself with many childhood books, cards, and toys in my studio.
So, without further ado, I will give you my top favorites (it was, ahem, very hard to narrow down!)

1. Dolly's, of course. I loved doll babies most. I still do, but now they are mostly of the "rag dolls" variety, oh and real life babies, of course! I've always had a strong nuturing instinct. The photo above is of me tucking in my little baby doll. Oh, how I wish I still had that little carriage!!

Now, here's the one of me (on left) holding "Sharon". The only prooooblem was, that, "Sharon" was NOT my baby dolly. No. She was my sissy's (seen here obviously allowing me to hold her, as, if, it looks like I was ever going to let go). You see, "Sharon" was given to my sister by her Godmother (which, by the way, always gave her the coolest gifts). I remember her being so cuddly, more than any of the "other" dolls we would get. I think my sissy still has "Sharon"! I will have to check. I guess she eventually pulled her out of my hands somehow.

2. Kaleidoscopes.

I remember always being fascinated with these Kaleidoscope cones. I distinctly remember twirling it round and round and being mesmerized for the longest time. I loved how the colors mixed and twirled. I still love lots and lots of color. I remember these were always plentiful when I was a kid, although I don't have one now. In fact, I only have one of my actual childhood toys (I think), as I believe my Mom got rid of them early on. Not quite sure why! She held on to almost everything else!

3. My baby lamb.

I have this one in my studio now. (seen here in my play pen) I don't know how it made it through. I'm sure there is a story. I am told by my kids that the eyes, "freak them out", but I love my little lamb!

4. Viewfinders.

I remember spending hour upon hours clicking this toy viewfinder. I wonder why I had this as we were of modest means. Again, I don't know what happened to it, but I remember the slides well and be fascinated with the mystery of it all.

I guess my tastes have not changed much as I still love all these things! Thank you for travelling down memory lane with me again! What was your favorite toy? Do you still have it? xo lia

her sweet escape~ new moleskine entry

her sweet escape~ new moleskine entry, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

...I'll be back soon my friends.

xo lia