Art Junk Girl~

artjunk on the road..have gluestick, will travel.

Ok, so, we recently went on a trip to the beach. Well, you can take artjunkgirl to the beach, but you can't take the artjunk out of the girl. As I picked up one of my magazines I'd been saving for beach reading, out popped a slew of subscription cards. You know the one's..they usually fall out at the bookstore when I pick up a magazine as I bend down and I wonder why I'm always having to clean up, even when I'm not at home...

But anyhow, I decided to collect them from the blanket and tuck them into my book (which was about crafting by the way), for later artjunking. I layed out the cards when I got back to the hotel while everyone was resting from resting on the beach, and I started collaging some postcards. I took an area map we were given at check-in and covered the "front". Then I used the hotel memo pad for the "back". Instant postcards or journal cards! I am chosing to use them as a journal cards. I also covered a few of the free bookmarks we got at the bookstore with the map. I immediately gave one to my hubby for his beach read. WEll, Mr. Analytical looked at the bookmark and instead of seeing it as a crafty bookmark said, (I kid you not), "That's nice, but we are staying at R. Beach, not B. beach like the map says." I said "fine!" and proceeded to cut and paste the name of the "right" beach onto his bookmark. Later on he thanked me for his handy bookmark. What can I say.

Anyhow, since you all liked the cereal box tip, I thought I'd share this one too. I thought everyone cut up there cereal boxes. Some people do, but not everyone. Goes to show it's a good thing to share tips with each other.

Oh, and another thing. I brought my inchie organizer with me and made some squares. I decided that while you are travelling, you really only need gluestick and a good pair of scissors. Paper is plentiful everywhere.
Maps, menus, and magazines make for great collage fodder while on the road this summer!
Happy Trails! xoxo lia

old pic, new inspiration board

old pic, new inspiration board, originally uploaded by artjunkgirl.

...and the crafting/recycling kick continues.

I'm almost done putting up things in the basement studio...I needed one more inspiration board, so I revamped a small plain corkboard one I had onhand. I painted the border blue and glued on maps from an old atlas. I like it because it's from my hubby's home state. The photo booth picture is a few years old. I hope to get to a photobooth while on vacation this summer. We don't have any nearby. Anyhow, I have more postcards to share, etc. and will do so very soon. I'm behind in getting pictures loaded. So many fun things to do! Have a great weekend my friends! xo lia

School's Out, project's in!

Dear Friends~
I'm feeling very crafty lately. This always happens to me with the change of seasons. At least that is what I've observed. One of the nice things about having a blog is that you can notice such things. What I thought to be random before is actually my creative rhythym. Now, it's been raining like all get out, but I don't mind it as much as the children do.

Anyow, as I was saying, I'm feeling crafty as ever. I really, really would like to be at the beach right now, but can't be so I decided to bring the beach to my house by getting out our collected seashells and putting a few beach pictures on the manle.

One of the things I want to do this summer is make/craft my own book or journal. JJ loves making her own books too, so I'm sure she will join in the learning. (I just picked up a few books at the library about it with JJ). "JJ", (aka my youngest daughter, is my 'partner in craft'.) She is often working along side me. She has her own gig going. Doesn't need help from me... Her specialty is designing and reworking outgrown jeans as well as making shadow boxes from recycled cardboard. I love to have my kids around me when I create. Very few things are off limits. although I do have a few boxed labeled that are off limits. Only because I'm saving them for a specific project. I also have a "chance box" near my work area so that they can pick things from to work on. All of my girls have altered books started and they will be getting those out soon.
One of the special projects I have to finish this summer is Maria's altered book, (my oldest daughters). I've been working on it on and off all year, but it's time to pull it together. I was excited to do another page last night. I'm using an old record album case to make the book. I've painted the pages and I've made some tags, but the cover,etc. are not done. The biggest challenge has been how to organize it.

I'm also working on these itty-bitty books for a swap. They are almost done and will be shipped out soon. So, lots of little projects are keeping me busy, and I'm so happy that I will have time to work on them now! I'm also excited about summer reading. JJ and I are going to sign up for summer reading at the library tomorrow. Now, if only I lived close to a beach! I could take a nice tote of la-la land books and set up a nice comfy quilt and relax. So, that is what's going on for now. Hope you all have some fun little projects planned this summer. talk to you all very soon! xo lia

p.s. I've also had fun working with ink in my journal, so I decided to make this one into a new banner for my blog. It was time for a change! Hello summer! Hope you are having a great weekend friends! xo lia

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

I'm dreaming of a crafty christmas...

I'm dreaming of a crafty christmas..., originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

...Please note: I'm only a " little" obsessed with pom-pom's right now (Im just sayin'...) and will be making some garlands for the girls smaller tree's..and anything else I can think of...I love all the colors! I need to finish getting the house tidied and then I'm gonna craft my little heart out.
I'll share more soon...hmmm...now what did I do with the upholstery thread...it's here somewhere...
Hope you are having a fun holiday season. xo

Charmed, I'm Sure...

Ok, so this is what I learned after making jewelry charms for my first jewelry charms swap. (I've made fabric charms, but not jewelry one's). For this swap, I used existing charms in which I inserted and glued copies of my "inchie" collages. I then added some glaze on top. Here's what I learned from my brief experience with charms~

1. You have to really, really pay attention to fine
detail. You have to use such things as exacto knives.
You have to risk, like, cutting your thumb. I need my
thumb. I can't have a bloody thumb because I cut
paper. I cut pretty paper all day. I need clean thumbs.

2. You have to have really good eyes. If you need
reading glasses, and consequently (don't have them,
erm), you will have to take them on, and then take
them off, and then work some more, and then look for
them, and then put them on to see if what you did look
right, etc. etc.

3. If you are OCD (which I am not, cough, cough), and
that little, itty bitty hairline imperfection bothers
you....well, it behoooves you to 'leave it alone'.
Either that or go try to fix it, fritter the
imperfection away to nothing and ruin the good part
and have to start all over. enough said.

4. epoxy smells. have a window open.

5. tools have to be *clean*. if your hoosband does not
clean his tools, do NOT go get them from the garage.
If you do, first clean them thoroughly with a scrub
brush, brillo pad and gunk scrapper tool.

6. Last but not least, I learned that if I count a set
of charms once, and then count it again, they won't
magically double in number. I will still have to make
more charms than I think.

7. I'm still not very good at math.

8. The good news is that I can use all those inchies I
made for charm making. I think I want to learn to
solder though. I wonder what my list will look like
then?

stay tuned.

xo Lia

paper doll fun

paper doll fun, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

This was too much fun. Template can be found on marthastewart.com from this week's episode featuring Claudine Hellmuth. I feel so silly playing with paper dolls at my age, but I just can't resist! If cutting paper is involved, I'm in! Have a great weekend all! xo Lia

Update! Ohmygosh! If you missed the show, the "sitting pretties" video can be found online here! If the link doesn't work, just go to MarthaStewart.com and look it up under Tv episodes (click on sitting pretties). He he...this is really fun!
P.s. I did not make mine with the roof flashing and fabric, as per tutorial. I made my sitting pretty with cardstock and she sits just fine on my crafty tote. :)

Thinking outside of the square...

Ok, friends, I want to start by saying that I have by NO means left my square friends for circle friends. Let me splain. I am still a very square girl. I'm just thinkin' of things to make with my squares as I will be preparing for my first craft fair booth at the Creative Bazaar. Can you say run on sentence? Ok, so I'm not the best at grammer here. I try my best, but anyhoo, I'm rather chatty so it's hard to stop when I get started. Now, where was I? Oh, yeah, the lump in my throat thing (see last artjunk episode)..I'm still feeling very, very wierd and things are so different here at home. It's hard to adjust to such a huge change. I've still been crafty, but in a different sort of way. You see, when I feel kinda out of sorts with my art routine and my brain is all mush, I turn to the most mindless (but fun) part of being a paper and collage addict: I cut paper, then I cut some more, then I cut some more. That's a lot of cutting this last week with my son gone and all and me feeling weird and all. My immediate reaction to any stressful situation is to want to change everything about my life. I mean like, everything. Like crazy person kind of stuff. Like up and moving to another town, city, state, country kind of crazy. Like painting my whole house a different color kind of crazy, like I wanna go dye my hair bright red kinda crazy and have it all wierd and spikey and totally not conservative, homemakerish, prudish kind of me that I am. So, I digress. Back to the circles meeting the squares. I went and visited Martha on Monday (well, the next best thing...her "isle" at Michaels) and I decided that my square puncher needed one of her nifty circle punchers. So, some people get a pet to replace a child leaving the nest. I adopted a new puncher. So anyway, I started punching and cutting and punching away my stress while watching depressing movies on TV and eating klondikes and wearing sweats and not combing my hair. well, swooping it back with my hands, but not combing it...and going around the house with a permanent sad puppy look. So, back to my story, I printed out some of my squares to see if the collages would fit in a circle so that I can use them for my new magnet or button machine that I want to buy, but haven't yet because my husband, (aka Bruno the Tuition checkbook) will blow a puncher gasket if I do so... So I'm thinking outside of the square and what I can have to offer at the creative bazaar, etc. etc. So, the long and the square of it is that my cutting/punching party yeilded two new collage sheets with images cut from my ephemera and old magazines, perfect size for inchies. I will be offering these in the shop soon. In addition, I've been movin' along on my square goal (722ish) and I'm also going to get some of my inchies printed up into postcards. I think that all of that has kept me busy enough and out of trouble, or at least out of the hardware store, where I would go and stare at new colors to paint my house in. So, that' all for now. One big mind dump. Goes to show I shouldn't skip too many days on my blog as I usually chronicle most of my shananaghans on here. I'm sure I totally botched that word. Hope everyone is having a good week. xo Lia

I really love squares...

I finished up a few projects and now I'm back to making my squares again. I just enjoy making these little collages SO much. I just see so many possiblities. They are also small enough to work on while I watch a movie or relax in the evening. I recently painted some watercolor paper for some larger collages, and I was so excited to take the leftovers and "punch" away some squares to work on. I am coming up with some ideas on using them in projects and such, since many of you ask what the heck you do with them. Oh, that is the magic of craft, isn't it? Finding ways to incorporate what we love into things that we can give to others or make into useful things. My mind literally explodes with ideas when I work on these! If you are transfer and digitally savvy (and have a good printer, which I don't...), there really are alot of ways to incorporate one inch square collages into your other works or scrapbook pages. I think of them as "embellishments". Ok, well, enough of my babblin...Here are a few other things I've made recently...
I hope to get some of these (and my square postcards) printed up soon. It's on the list. I kind of like the simplicity of these cards, and I loove painting my own backgrounds for collage, so it's a fun project for me.
There are SO many things I want to try this fall..I have a list up in "ma pea brain" and I will spill it out here sooner or later. I get sidetracked so easily. This morning, I punched out some little squares to include in an etsy package, and I liked them so much, I made a set of my own.

Now you know why I never get anything done with that. lol. Ok, well, I better go get ready for the days events. I'm going on a golfing date. The closest I've come to golf in the past year is watching "Tin Cup". It should prove to be an interesting afternoon for me and anyone close to me when I'm hitting that dang little ball. Have a great weekend everyone! Square on! xo Lia

more what you say?

more what you say?
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Squares of course, but that's not all. I've made a list of creative goals/projects for the summer. Here they are:

1. Work on a color themed gluebook or journal.

2. Try embroidery kit I bought earlier in the spring. Fun for a carry-along project.

3. Make the "bleepin'" doll quilt.... read about my doll quilt debacle here. The very talented Calamity Kim started a doll quilt group on flickr. Now, I have no excuse. Off I go!

4. Collage and display several of my squares in one of the memory frames I bought on sale...a while ago.. (have to dust those off from the shelf, ahem).

5. Frame some of my kids certificates, drawings, etc. and hang on rec room wall downstairs.

6. Collage on salvaged book covers I've been saving.

7. Sort through, tidy, regroup and swap out some of the "stuff" in my art studio. Make some ephemera packs to sell in my etsy shop I never seem to get going....

8. work on my swap/collaboration committments (more detail on that later).

9. Get geared up for classes I'll be teaching with Kari Ramstrom (ArtsyMama) at JustBe in October! yeah!

10. Send out JustBe Postcards with my class times, etc. If you want me to send you one, please email me your address!

Ok, that's enough for now. Oh, I also want to lose 10 lbs.... I need to get creative with that...

What's on your fun list for summer creativity?

matchbox makeover!

I'd been tossing around this little empty matchbox in my studio drawer for a while until I finally got the chance to "play" matchbox makeover. I converted this into a nifty little holder for my inchies in progress. This would also make a great little holder for square-trading and little gifties in swaps, doncha think? I painted the inside while I was painting journal pages. I simply collaged the outside with little leftover scraps. Now, back to the Ranch. More later, xo Lia.

P.S. One small matchbox can comfortably fit about 15 inchies "results may vary depending on individual" lol...


P.P.S. Have you started your AJ yet? Just checking...

A different kind of Collage with my Jeans!

Ok, so I dusted off the sewing machine today. I was on a mission this week to make something "useful". I guess I'm going through a little thing where I want to actually make something I can, like, wear or something....but I know it's only a phase, I'll be back to my paper stuff soon enough! Anyhoo, I love, love, love jeans. If you know me and have been reading my blog, you know it's all I wear. Well, I've saved up LOTS of jeans for sewing fodder. I want to make some purses, etc. BUT in the meantime I decided to make this "altered" or collage skirt this week. I got a shirt the other day for 10 at a super sale and chose it to be my skirt "victim". It's kind of gauzy like and light and the colors are fabulous. Actually, lots of the colors I use in my collages....so here is my newest creation. I approached the project in the same way I approach making my collages, kinda haphazardly. The material I chose was forgiving and I just zigzaged my way through it. My daughter took part of the shirt I cut and made a crown for herself...here is the back of her little head! The little bugger kept taking my scissors but she is cute and she was having fun keeping me company while we waited for my hub to get home. I quickly vacumned the mess afterward as my bedroom served as my make-shift sewing room. Now, this is still a WIP. I have to do the back. I will do the back with a jean patch of material at the opening. So, that's what I've been up to...oh, and I tried sewing on the cardstock tag I made the other day. It's much, much easier than I thought. I made a few christmas tags, but still testing the waters on that one. I also got some Christmas shopping done this morning and some other junk, so this was a nice little diversion this evening. Hope y'all are gettin' crafty this weekend. Just go for it. Don't worry about it being perfect. It so freeing to just get something out and approach it like a kid would, without the critic and with freedom and fun. xxoo Lia p.s. did I mention I saved a piece of the fabric for a headband to go with my skirt? here is a tutorial I read before starting the skirt.... Oh, and here's more skirt love here. This is an amazing artist site, so put your eye candy glasses on. you've been warned! xoo Lia

Gettin' Crafty again...

We had a very relaxing thanksgiving yesterday. I still was astounded that I found myself back at the sink cleaning the leftovers in what seemed like 15 minutes after dinner was served. It's so funny how we prep for hours and then boom, the meal is over. I thoroughly enjoyed preparing the meal though, as well as sharing together as a family.
I DID manage to sneak into my "studio" which is just off the kitchen, while everyone was in there thanksgiving feast-induced slumber on the couch. I made this little ornament above. Something new for me, so I'm still workin' it out. I used my usual gloss adhesive but I need to use matte next time. I will hang this with some fantastic gold cording I found at in my Mom's "sewing closet store" the other day. We often go raid grandma's closet and shop for crafty bits, especially around the holidays. WEll, that's it for now. I've got lots of little projects in the works on my desk but they are all (wip's) works-in-progress. I used to finish things in a sitting but now I'm moving from one piece to another and adding things. I guess my process is forever changing and I just need to go with the flow!

Off I go to run some needed errands and tend to family stuff but I will be back soon to share some completed collages I'm workin' on. Hope you all find some time to create this weekend! ~Lia

So Inspired...

While waiting in the car for my son this evening from a school sports activity, I took my second "closer look" through the latest Somerset Studios Magazine issue. Waiting to pick up in the car is a usual for me, so I almost always have something in there to read, and luckily something good tonight! I was SO inspired by all the beautiful Christmas, festive, and holiday creations that I saw, that I came home and decided to make this oatmeal box I saved today into a christmas theme decoration. (It's kinda early for me to do this as I normally don't get in gear until the day after thanksgiving, but what the heck, no time like the present!) I also don't make decorative items like so many bloggers do for the holidays, but, again, it may be a nice change to decorate with collage items this year. Lately I've been settling into the after dinner, late night collage/art routine and that is good for me. I'm more relaxed. Oh, I wanted to mention that the "JOY" letters were cut out of a complimentary page in the current nov/dec issue of Somerset Studio and they are the work of Artist Sarah Lugg, also featured in the magazine this month. I love this magazine. Did I say that already...ok. S0, I seriously comb through each page and see something new each time! One of my fave artists I see in it over and over is Lisa Guerin. I look up the name of the artist for pieces I like and most of the time it's her work! I must say though that at times it's hard to see the artist's name associated with the piece of work. I kinda have to do the merry-go-round thing with my finger and follow the "clockwise" directions on the opposite page. I really like knowing who the artist is so I can see more of his/her work. Maybe it's just me and I just don't know which direction the clock goes...lol...but I wish it were easier! The first spread on the Christmas Wreath was phenominal. I loved the one with the girl in the cloth dress...not quite sure which artist did that one. I'll take a look again...which way is clockwise again? lol. just kidding....Ok, so that's all for now. this art girl needs some sleep.......xxoo Lia

altered matchbox: day 8

Dear friends:
I got to work on some art early today and am posting now for day 8 of art everyday month! If you've been anywhere near me in cyberspace lately, you know I've been OBSESSED with the altered matchboxes I first saw on Mary Ann's Blog. I emptied one out from up in the cabinet a bit after seeing it and I've been "playing" with it the last few days. Here "she" is...

This morning I added some more little bits and pieces. So much fun to work on this little piece! yes, it doesn't take much to get me happy...lol...So, here it is...I was thinking (as I'm sure a few of you are also), whatever am I going to do with this little do-hitchy now? WEll, I was thinkin....I could put some of my fave little button in it, a little note from my kids (time capsule kinda idea) OR better yet, use it as a container to send buttons in an swap! ok, well, have fun creating today. Off I go to get some junk done before kids get home, unless of course I get sidetracked and start collaging the coffee table or something...lol...xxoo Lia

collage of me and ria's day out

collage of me and ria's day out
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

"For Beautiful Eye's......" collage by artjunkgrl

"For Beautiful Eye's......" collage by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

"....look for the good in others,
For Beautiful Lips;
speak only words of kindness;
And for poise, walk with the knowledge
that you are NEVER alone."

~Audrey Hepburn

"you can't keep a good woman down"...

"you can't keep a good woman down"..., originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Well, let's get goin' girls!

xxoo Lia

Eula Mae!

Eula Mae!, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

One of my flickr contacts "sassyartz", was kind enough to let me use "Eula Mae" for a collage and post it! I immediately loved this photo when I saw it on the flickr collage images group (not for posting art). I later found out that it was "sassyartz" Mother! She had actually made this beautiful dress herself! She still sews and has her old singer machine! Thank you Eula Mae for your beauty, charm and inspiration and sassyartz for sharing the photo! The collage actually started out being kind of "traditional" looking, but then I decided that Eula Mae was probably a whippersnapper (in my imagination) so I added some bright green accents! I know I didn't do her justice, but thank you for the inspiration to try!

"4" Life is Beautiful

I can't garden to save my life, but I can collage a flower pot, does that count? Lol. This is to my garden friends! --Lia

"51" Highness by artjunkgrl

"51" Highness by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I guess I got a little tipsy here...lol....collage I made this afternoon when I was trying to work on a tag for something else...Lia