Art Junk Girl~

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

Bloggin' 2 years now...

Dear Friends,

Today is my 2 year anniversary since I started blogging! I went down "memory" lane this morning, lookin' at everything that has kept me away from my housework, etc. (lol) and you know what? It's all been worth it. I've enjoyed every minute of my diversions and distractions! I've met sooo many wonderful, supportive, creative people. I've been exposed to art projects I never would have known about. I've learned so much from all of you and I continue to be greatly inspired!
Thank you for visiting my blog. A few of you have been around all of the 2 years, cheering me along, humoring me and my creative obsessions. You've helped me through some tough spots, given me your wisdom and kept me on my toes. I am so greatful. I am still amazed that I have the opportunity to share what I'm doing and where I am creatively. Overall, the greatest benefit of blogging, for me, has been the sense of community I feel. I know this has been instrumental in helping me stay happy and sane these last few years!
Thank you again and again. Blog on, xo Lia

And the Winner is.........

Well, I don't know about you, but I think I have a blog party hangover this morning...I only got to maybe 10 out of the hundreds of tutorials posted yesterday (for links, see ArtsyMama's blog). I started keeping track of the one's I want to try, but then lost track...lol. I have to go back and do so...but today we must eat a "real dinner". LOL. Ok, ok, so you want me to get to the "winner" of yesterdays giveaway...Well, I used a random number generator online and on the very first try got the following number...

The Lucky Winner is:

21

Ok, well, what does that mean? The 21st comment wins. Well, when I went into the listing of comments on typepad to verify I picked the 21st comment, I came up with a different name because typepad lists the comments on your post from last to first. SO.....I decided I would give away to both commenters, (21st position from start and 21st position from end of comments). Sound confusing? Ok, now, don't go back and start verifying my scientific methodology here....I'll have another give-away in the future. The lucky winners for this one (as of the time of this posting are).....

Cheryl (fromthepines) and
Jennifer (crimsoncat)
Cheryl and Jennifer, please email me your addy's so I can get these out to you today!
Thank you everyone for visiting yesterday and for your lovely comments. I'm glad you want to try inchies and I was suprised a few of you didn't know about them. Ok, so, off I go to make some more inchies and find more fun things to make to avoid housework. Oh, isn't crafting fun????!!! I think so! Pass the gluestick baby! xo :) Lia

There's a party goin' on 'round here....

Well, well, well, Miss ArtsyMama is in the mood for another blog party and she's done gone and invited the whole blog world to it! So, in the spirit of crafty celebration, I am going to attend with my little tutorial offering here as well as a itty-bitty giveaway.
I must say that I was racking my pea brain to come up with a tutorial I hadn't already done on here. All I could come up with to share is a new little twist to inchies that I've recently discovered. (To see how I make my "inchies" and to learn more, check my tutorials here and here).

Now, where was I..Oh, yeah. One of my dear online art buddies, Pam, wrote and told me about Bazzill chips. Bazzill chips are basically extra thick chipboard, precut 1" squares you can get at CreateforLess.com. I like these chips because they are like little tiles and once more, you can make little magnets out of them as they are sturdier than what I normally use. (140 lb. watercolor paper).
I started "playing" around with some ideas lately and made one of these little squares. Meet Ariel.

The supplies I used to make this little tile are as follows:
cheap acrylic paint (turquoise blue in this case)
a foam brush
one small vintage image (from collage sheet mini purchased from TuscanRose)
text from a book page
and my new favorite product: Aleene's Paper Glaze (this will give the little tile square a nice finish and protective coating should you attach a magnet on back and put on fridge).
Self stick magnetic backing cut to fit (optional)
So, there you have it... a cute little magnet for those of you who often ask what to make with these cute little inchies.
Alternatively, if you make inchies already, you can copy them, cut out and paste them onto these sturdy chips and glaze/magnetize them.

These tiles look great glued onto the top of a journal as well!

Still not convinced. New to inchies and wanna try? I'm giving away this little baggie which contains little bits from my personal stash including: 10 bazzill chips, 10+ painted inchies I've done recently, tiny images cut from my vintage magazines and a few extra's from my collage sheets to try. So there you go! Just leave a comment if you want to enter the giveaway. I will announce the winner tomorrow morning!
Remember, go on over to the Artful Blogging* hostess, ArtsyMama as she will have a loads and loads of links to other arful bloggers attending with lots of other tutorials, etc. I think we will all be ordering pizza tonight. lol. Have fun now! xo :) Lia

For more links on making squares and to visit my "inchie/square" blog, click here.

*Artful Blogging is a new magazine put out by Stampington Company. Read more about it on ArtsyMama's blog.

7 things that ROCK! meme

~Started by Deb Silva. Check out her list too! And if you are reading this...consider yourself tagged!

1. Well, of course my #one thing is gonna be makin' inchies!

2. My blog friends, many of which are on my blog roll! Many awesomely talented and great people in this blog community!

3. Flickr.

4. Calamity Kim's Blog!

5. Swaps and Raks in the mail! (both sending and receiving!)

6. Squares.

7. All my wonderful readers! Now, go make your list!!!

xo Lia

Graduation Celebration and Photo Thursday~

I'm honored to be hosting Photo Thursday this month over at Create a Connection. Go take a peaky! Hope to see you there! xo Lia

new postcard collage and tag times three...

I've been tagged again and again and again by Gerry, Amy and Neda. Yes, it's the 7 things about you one.
Ok, let me think of 7 things for y'all to know real quick (in 7 seconds or less as I have to run). More coffee, please, somebody?? Which leads me to #1

1. I must have a cup of coffee before getting outta bed in the morning. My sweet husband brings it to me (and has done so for years, it's our routine). I like to relax, drink coffee, & dodge all his family coordination questions that I won't answer until my first cup.

2. I don't like when the phone rings early in the morning. In fact, I think it should be outlawed. So should women that say things like, "I don't know what's wrong, I just keep eating and I CAN'T gain any weight!"

3. I love books, but I still feel a little guilty when I alter them...even though I know that I'm salvaging it half the time. Books don't have feelings, neither do fish, but I used to talk to our fish like they understood what I was saying....

4. I don't like dirty computer/tv screens. I have been know to clean my daughter's while she's on it...which brings much wailing and nashing of teeth...

5. I don't like clothes shopping. I'm petite so sometimes I shop in Juniors, which I think fits me better than petites, but I still pretend that I'm looking for something for my kids. "OH, wouldn't Leni look great in this?"

6. If I could, I'd wear jeans and comfy, hippyish tshirts everyday, but sometimes I have to wear pantyhose and suit up and I hate it.

7. Even though I'm an artist, very few of my clothes have paint on them. I've always been super careful about "getting dirty", my mom said that when I was little, she couldn't tell my dirty clothes from my clean. So, I guess I'm a bit compulsive about spills and such and will go change.

Ok, friends, duty calls. Be back soon. Peace out. xo Lia

Create a Connection Answers...

Here are my answers to this week's Create a Connection questions entitled, Your Life as Art, hosted by Jana this week.

If your life were DVD, what would "The Making of _______" reveal about your life behind the scenes?

It would reveal a hodge podge of life as a mom, wife, and person obsessed with squares, glue, paper and magazines...there would be some "big fat greek wedding" like scenes interjected here and there as well as screaming teenagers, lots of "what's for dinner?" questions, homework, nagging, laughing and hiding in my room...oh, and then there is chocolate...

If your life were a collage, what would be the most important images displayed?

The people in my life that I love.

If your life were a comedy, what would be your funniest moment?

Probably when we are acting silly and clowning around. Especially when we do impersonations of my mother saying one of her many embarrasing yet funny expressions like, "anything cook?" or "did you make that from crotch?" in her accent... oooh, can't believe I just said that...

If your life were a book, who would be listed in your cast of characters? My husband and I, because he is the love of my life and my whole world!

How about you?

Create a Connection Answers...

Hello Friends, I've been wanting to participate in the "Getting to know you" Q/A's over at Create a Connection. If you want to participate, then go grab the questions over at CaC and post to your blog. Let me know too, if you'd like, so I can go look! (I also used these as a prompt in my journal below, but that was my own thing so don't think you have to do that to particpate). I know lots of people enjoy this weekly exercise. I hope to do it more often as well.

1. What is your favorite word? Marvelous! (pronounced "mah-velous").

2. What is your least favorite word? "folks"

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? pretty much everything and anything.

4. What turns you off? negative people

5. What is your favorite curse word? "flippin", I say that alot...my friends laugh...I count it as a curse word because it sounds like one when I say it...

6. What sound or noise do you love? My daughter singing softly and kids giggling.

7. What sound or noise do you hate? phones and when the tivo remote goes, "bump" and I can't fast forward through a commercial.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Social worker, oh, yeah, I have two teenagers. scratch that, there isn't anything I haven't done..(ad lib from my journal here...)

9. What profession would you not like to do? anything that requires heavy lifting (bad back. L-5, which one are you?)

10. If Heaven exists (I believe it does, I add here), what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
The Art room is on your right, your Daddy is waiting for you there....

Hope you can attend!

If you save 75 cents a day, you will be able to register by September 1.

I hope to see you there!

justBe.

xo Lia

A welcome game of tag after recovering from a swap hangover...

I luckily got tagged today by the lovely Charlotte, and let me tell you, it was a welcome diversion from all my square talk this week. I think I have a swap hangover...I just finished up 2 big swap committments and I didn't realize what a mess I had made until I wrapped things up and went back to put things away. The entire kitchen table, part of the coffee table and my studio table were full of little scraps, squares, glue bins, pens, etc. etc. I went and got my mom and brought her over for a visit and to help me tidy and make dinner and she walked in, took one look at the kitchen table and said, "oh, my, look at all the little pieces! JJ (referring to my daughter) made such a mess!" ...erm...."mom, I did it, it's not JJ's mess." She was like, "oh" and then walked away. I suppose my crafting mess was equivalent to a frat house after a party...and let me tell you, I feel a crafting/swapping marathon hangover. Anyhoo, I'm supposed to be talking about 5 Things that are weird about me, the subject of the tagging! Ok,well, Charlotte, I have gotten this one before but it's been a while, so I will do it again! Well, y'all know what the first one will be, right?
1. I love squares. "Shocker!" as Fran would say!

2. I am a serial hair dyer. That is staying on the list as I think it's the weirdest. I change my hair color twice a year. It's been brown and black this year, but the craziest was when I got it highlighted blond for my 40th bday(above right). Once I did a reddish but that did not go over well with my husband. He doesn't like my hair red. My hair stylist knows this. I tried to say red this time and she was already pointing to the browns b/c she remembers that I said my husband hates red. But I digress....

3. I hate phones. I use speaker alot b/c I hate having it on my ear. I am the only one in my family like this. Even my Dad loved talking on the phone. My sister, mother, and oldest daughter have bionic ears when it comes to phones. They can hear my cell phone buzzing even when I don't. Every so often, they will be in a conversation with someone, stop, and tilt their head and say, "is that a phone ringing?" I don't get this...

4. I rearrange furniture alot. I think there is a name for that.

5. None of my friends know I do art or squares or blogging. I'm the most normal weird person anyone knows. I try to tell people I'm wierd, but they never believe me. You all know better....

xo Lia

p.s. I am tagging Andrea, Lilia, Fran, Darcy and Nance (you 2, only 5, ok?)...xxoo Lia

new year, new you!

Dear Friends . This is going to be a great year! I can feel it! Can you feel it? There is definite energy going on in the creative artworld here in bloggie land! Lot's of new beginnings! Two of my close art friends are going to be blogging. I'm SO thrilled! I also have lots of new projects in the works. I will share with you soon. I'm setting up a separate blog to house my Squares (capital S). I'm still uploading stuff as time allows Right now I'm working on Valentine ATC's from MaryAnn's swap (pictured above). I've also been working on more squares for another swap and will be sending all my goodies off soon! Now I gotta go and meet my workout buddy or I will be in trouble..I will be back soon with new art and more updates. STay tuned. Are you up to any new projects this year? You gotta go over to Janet's and see all the fab ATC's she is making! I'm telling you, creativity is in bloom, whatcha waiting for? xo Lia

a different style challenge~

for styles book
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Yes, you are at the right blog, friends. I've been putting finishing touches on my pages for an ongoing "styles" fatbook collab. in the AAO (Altered Art Obsession) group. I love the challenge and standards of AAO, I have already grown & learned new things and I've only been a member for a few months. This is also the wonderful place that introduced me to my sweet little squares, hence confirming the fact that I truly belong in a group with "obsession" in it's name. he he...
Ok, well, I'm off to get more stuff done around the house, etc. today but I will be popping in and posting more soon. Have a great day friends! xxoo Lia

Still doing "Art Everyday Month"! 3 ATC's

Well, the month is almost over! This has been a fun month of Art for me and kind of a new beginning of sorts. Having the Art Everyday Month challenge has helped me focus more on how important doing art and/or something creative EVERY DAY is to me. It's helped me to try new things and challenge myself. There is SO much I want to learn! I worked on these ATC's last nite for a swap, but I am going to do more of them b/c I want to use more embellishments or something on them. They need "something". Here is a list of some of the things I want to learn.
~how to use rubberstamps. Aside from brushing the edges of my work and having a drawer full of stamps, I don't use stamps in my work much. I LOVE the effects of rubber stamping in altered art and collage, but I really need to learn some basics. I especially love when I see a sort of "streaking" effect through pieces...I wonder how they do that???
~I watched "That's Clever" yesterday (recorded episode) and saw how the guest was stamping stuff and it's not what I was doing for sure! She was using a roller and then dabbling the ink pad onto the stamp instead of the other way around. I usually smoosh it down and do the "rocking horse" kinda thing and then, splat, I put down my stamp and get a wonderful impression complete with the square edge lines from the corner of the stamp!
~I can't wait to get together for an art playdate with Becky! Hi Becky if you are reading this! I'm going to pick your brain and have you teach me a bunch of stuff, ok? So anyway, I reallly do learn fast if I see it done. It's hard for me to really get stuff through books or tutorials. There are alot of little tidbits you learn from seasoned artists that books don't always cover.
~I've also been thinking of rubberstamping after seeing work from artists participating in "Wednesday Stamper" challenges.
Another thing I want to learn is how to use inks and dyes in my work. And, while I'm at it, I want to learn to stitch on cardstock and some of my tags and atc's. So anyway, this is what I've had on my "art brain" as of late. I know I need to just "jump in" and do it and not worry so much about the process...this is how I've learned most of what I have. I know I'll do it when I want to bad enough! Anyhow, off I go now. Gotta get some chores done and then get back in my studio. I moved a larger table in there yesterday, so I have to go rework some stuff in there. Did I mention I also want to try doing assemblages?
Hmmmm......one thing at a time Lia! But it's all so fun!

for JoAnnA's book

I made this for the current artist book collaboration in support of "breast friends for JoAnnA". Although I don't know JoAnnA, but have heard of her, I was moved to by fellow artists warm and loving outreach. I made this collage for her today while praying for her to have strength, hope and faith.
xxoo Lia

p.s. my youngest daughter's name is Joanna, we call her "JJ" though and sometimes just "J". editors note: to find out how to participate in this project, click here for more information.

"The Birthday Party"

"The Birthday Party"
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

for my daughter e.

had to figure out how I could get to use my glue gun more, hence the button and fabric addition to my collage...does anyone need some buttons glued, Should I be worried, but yes, I love glueing stuff down when it will actually stay put and the glue gun does the trick!
have a good weekend everyone. ~Lia

"beautiful dreamer #2"

"beautiful dreamer #2"
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

This collage is done on an atc size card. The background is one of my painted papers. I made this as a "rak" random act kindness and sending to an artist I admire for sharing her work online and inspiring me.
I call this beautiful dreamer #2 as the last collage I made with this image didn't turn out as I liked so I decided to make another! there is always plan 2 or B, right? That's what I love about art, you can always make another and there are No mistakes!
Have a great weekend all and create, create, create! Follow your dreams now!

xxoo Lia

day 13: worked on my travel postcards

Here's my "arting" for today. I made one of the 4 postcards I'm making for a travel postcard swap I signed up for on swap-bot through one of my flickr contacts that is prolific in collaging. (If you don't know by now, I'm a pretty big flickr addict and there are awesome people over there doing swaps and such. Such a great creative community). This is a good challenge for me as I don't do as well with "assigned themes" as most of my art is kind of just whatever I am moved to do at the moment. Doing swaps and things like that keep me going art-wise though and learning new things. I definitely want to learn more, but I wish I was one of those people who could whip up something for their kids scrapbook or something. it's not like I haven't saved all the sentimental stuff! I would rather work with vintage photos though....sometimes I feel guilty that I am not doing something my kids can have...oh well, it does make me happy to create vintage-related and other random things so I guess I should not worry about it. It was a raining here today alllll day. I do like the rain, but I think I'm ready for some sunshine now, especially after working on the travel theme postcards! bermuda would be real good right now! lol! ok, better go get movin....more soon, Lia

update~here's postcard #2, two more to go. hope to get done soon. boy, this is getting me in a travel mood. gotta love art, you can go anywhere without leaving home...well, kinda...

day 9: "play" collage

The quote on the bottom of this collage reads:
In my friend, I find a second self.~ Isabele Norton

dedicated to my blog sistas and all my art friends and readers.

xxoo Lia

Collage planning for November

altered book spread~november day 1
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

As mentioned in the previous post, I want to have more "focus" in November, so I decided to "play" during my art time today and do a spread in my personal altered book. After finding the card number 1, I decided I would do a spread in here every day this month (hopefully). By the end of the month it should be full and I'll have something to get me focussed on what I like to do best: collage in books and with writing in the background.

more to come! thanks to those of you who gave me some advice/suggesitons in the last post....and I Will be joining you, Kat, in "ART everyday month!". Thank you for encouraging me!

xoxo Lia

p.s. I kinda stayed focussed, but, uh, since I had all the paper junk out, I decided to do a few more!

Mixed Media Memoirs: Mission Statement

It's been quite some time since I've participated in one of my fave meme's "Mixed Media Memoirs". I am having a problem with my typepad link button so the direct url is: www.mixedmediamemoirs.com. Go there to see more entries as well as an archive of many other interesting prompts that are expressed in a creative way by many other participants. More to come! Lia

Nancy's Alphabet challenge

Nancy's Alphabet challenge, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Nancy posted a challenge on her blog ( www.somethingtwocrowabout.typepad.com) -go check it out. I had a hard finding a few of these letters and remembering my ABC's, but I had a grand ole time. In fact. I'd love to do this again with my girls after they do their homework Of course...lol...

Just Be....Connected Registration begins soon!

Hello Friends and Visitors:

I recently added the "Just Be...Connected" logo to my sidebar (still figuring out typepad!) but, anyhoo, I wanted to let you know that I will be teaching a few altered book classes with a fellow blogging momma who is a creative, fun, friendly and informative. Her name is Kari, ArtsyMama.  She did a wonderful "Book of Dreams" tutorial this summer in which I participated. I learned so much and was really inspired. I am very honored to be teaching with her and to be able to meet with other women to create "in person!" I can't tell you how thrilled I am!  Read more about how this all started by visiting Melba's blog. She "birthed" this wonderful idea for a conference so that all of us who blog and create can meet face to face and reunite for a wonderful weekend gathering! She has been hard at work to make this dream of hers a reality! To see the class schedule and find out more info, visit Just Be Connected! Below is a wonderful "Creative Life Planner" that I received from Melba. It has the beautiful "Just Be" Colors. She made these herself! I have been using it as a special planner to record my household information. After all, the more organized I am at home, the more time I have for ART!!!

I will share more about the planner in other posts and I may post some of the inside pages on flickr. STay tuned. In the meantime, you can check out the Just Be...Connected! website as registration will begin soon. The event will be held in October 2007.

Have an artful day! After all, art is everywhere you look!!!! xxoo Lia