"The Graduate" by artjunkgrl

"The Graduate" by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

We are coming up on a new year of school after a (somewhat) restful but overall wonderful summer. After taking a "summer blog break", I've decided to move over to a typepad address. This will hopefully allow me to post more often with less difficultly uploading.

....I'm excited about the change and about being able to share even more fun stuff on my blog.

Please visit me at my new website address www.artjunk.typepad.com.

ART JuNK~ Bloggers who are "DAL's"

DAL (Doin' a Lia)* phrase coined by my blog sista Jude!

Check it out!

Nancy


Jude

What are YOU waiting for????

xxoo

your crazy DAL sista

Doin' a Lia again...what are YOU waiting for???

had a family art fest today....layed out all the newspapers and did a "lia" as Jude would say! lol! below is the beginning of my first painting on canvas. it's called, "art therapy"....lol....

So, what are you waiting for, doesn't this look like fun?! well it is!

got fabric scraps? make a quiltie!

I made this little "crazy" quilt collage this afternoon. I know it's random. It was free flow, from a bunch of scraps I had saved in baggie. I love quilts and fabric almost as much as paper! xxoo L.

New "vintage fashion" blank book I'm workin' on...

  a work in progress. this is a second one I started from a blank book I bought at $ store. The gorgeous vintage fabric came in from a round robin buddy of mine who I am also participating in a round robin with. I'm really getting into making these books! I worked on this one this afternoon. I've actually been pretty fatigued today...(it's been quite a week!) but it was nice to have something sitting there to work on while watching a movie with my hubby on sat nite. more soon! I really want to learn to "embellish" altered books and I'm reading up more on that. Oh, my youngest wants to do a RR with me! she wants to salvage the book that I damaged with the fabric softner sheets! can you believe it???? she's only 8!!! she made her first chunky book. it's on my flickr. she made a page in my friends book and then I did one last nite. now it's her turn. she signed in on the front page and everything! I still get a kick out of her asking me to use the "gesssso"....!!! she's my little altered art princess! ~L. 

sneak peak inside RR book

Hi all! I'm workin' on a round robin altered book. I'm doing a "retro homemaker" kind of theme. It is way fun. I'm still learning. I started out doing another older book I got from an antique place....well, I ended up scrappin' it as the pages were coming unglued (my mistake...you see..."Lucy" (that's me..lol) decided she would freshen up the book by putting in softner sheets here and there and letting it set for a day). I started to work in the book a few days later and started gluing stuff down. then I would go back and it would peel away. I then used every glue in my "arsenal", even went out and bought PVA, the only one I didn't have. well, it happened again. then while talking to one of my RR friends it dawned on me that I had softened the pages with the sheets! I thought it was the humidity...(well I'm sure that didn't help), anyhoo, I was so stubborn about staying with the book until I figured it out. Well, anyway, I learned something,and I really like working on a clean slate (although I love the altered book look with the words in background). Oh well, more to learn, more to learn.

MOM update, all is well, took her for her check up yesterday and she is getting cast off tomorrow. WWWOOOOOHOOOO!!!! I am beside myself that she is well and happy. Hug your MOMMA today or call her if you can. I thank God that she is doing better. The doc called her the "bionic woman" yesterday, lol. Bless her heart!

Happy Day all!!!! I don't know how much I can post for rest of summer, but I will be poppin' in from time to time. I am thinking of all of you though! xxoo Lia

"flower girl" collage by artjunkgrl

"flower girl" collage by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Thank you all for visiting my blog!

I am taking a summer "blog break" to attend to some other things. I want to devote some time to working on my altered books/art journals and finish my

BookofDreams, (check out ArtsyMama's beautiful project). I enjoy interacting with all of you and will be thinking of you. I just feel it's time for a break so I can spend more time with my family, playing and enjoying the creative process "off-line".
I'll still be posting some of my artwork on my flickr, so you can check what I'm up to there, just click on the above picture and it will take you to my album.


Wishing you all a great rest of the summer--stay cool and follow your heart and your dreams this summer and always!!

~Lia

junk finds and junk poem

Found this fabulous box of song sheets for $6 on my summer junkin' trails (exits I make my husband veer off on...lol...). some are so pretty I want to frame, others I can use for my art and swaps :)! I love junking!

A Poem for my fellow junkin' queens!*



ON THE JUNKIN' TRAIL
BY LIA K.

I love to hunt for treasures
because it's so much fun
I try to ignore my husbands pleas
when I hear, "it's time to go hun!"

I love seeing those big ole billboards
Honey, "Antiques 1 mile ahead!"
my husband rolls his eyes and pretends
he didn't hear what I just said...

But sometimes I get my way
And lure him off the road
He insists on following me inside
To remind me there's "no room to load"

Before he finishes I've left him behind
playing "hide and go seek" in my mind...

I find lots of little nooks and such
with ephemera and photos in mind
Knowing that regular stores
don't offer anything in this kind

I like to rescue what people don't want
and make into something good
I know the people that were left behind
once did that when they could

The vases, jewelry and books bring me back
the nostalgia overwhelms me
as I overfill my sack

"Oh there you are" my husband chides
I can't believe I'm found
But the more I try to leave the past
the closer I am bound.

L.K.
7/2006


**click on my sidebar Friday Finds (my inspiration!) we are all codependent junkers! lol!

"Splendor" by artjunkgrl

"Splendor" by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I made this with a beach girl image from Tracy Roos www.tracyroos.com collage image collection that are available through www.alphastamps.com. The direct link to her images is www.alphastamps.com/tracycollagesheets.html

The background is painted newspaper I prepped while in west virginia visiting my sis. when I am having a block, I just do prep work and paint backgrounds for future collages. This is the first time I tried embossing. it's a lot easier than I thought, pretty straightforward. I'm finding that I want more and more layering in my collages. more "tooth" as they say...anyway, I love vintage beach images! Anyhow, the rest are stickers from dollar store and paper on bottom is from michaels collage pack.
I kinda lost my groove while I was away, but I'm back and trying some new stuff. Hope to get more art done and posted soon! --Lia

"Queen" of the house by artjunkgrl

"Queen" of the house by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

~"Even the Queen has to Clean!"

I am surely the Queen of this castle, but many times I feel like the Maid! I guess I want to wear the crown, but I often trade it in for the apron!

Well, today I took a break and put on my art crown....lol...boy, I am out of my groove. It always takes me a few days after being gone to get situated! I've had lots to do, but it's all good, and soon I will be back to my "semi-normal" routine. Thank you to all my blogging friends for encouraging me to keep creating and to have fun. You all mean the world to me! You could never know how much!

My Mom is doing MUCH better as of today and my eye problem is also clearing up! I guess when it rains, it pours, but then there is always the rainbow: family, friends and ofcourse, my collage junk!

I hope to post some more soon! I just got a few new things in the mail and used some of my swap materials for this. The crown and the silver ribbon...I love that stuff!!

~Lia

A little something for the trip HOME!

I came home last night from visiting my Mom. She is out of ICU now. She still feels really yucky. I wish I could have stayed longer. I am back home starting to "dig out" as my sis would say. My hubby and two older kids were on their own for a week....hmmm.....can you guess what my house looks like?? So, I'm a bit busy getting back to "normal" if there is such a thing!

On my way home, I stopped at a fave antique store about an hour out from my sisters on the road home. My girls said, "mommy, we don't mind if you go in there....". Are they total sweethearts or what??!!! Music to my ears. They are SO good in these places. I can't even believe they are since my older 2 would not be "good" now and they are old enough to be...lol....they are my 2 comedians....anyhow, I scored some goodies for under $20 and that included a bag of bracelets for all my girls. they are really liking those colorful bracelets these days...they are back "in". Oh, I feel so old! anyway, I hope to be back to creating and sharing more with my blog "sista's" soon. When the absolute normal chaos pipes down a bit, I will be here more! I have lots of goodies to share with you!! you know that I always have lots going on, even when things are crazy....the creative mind doesn't stop. I can't wait to get in my "studio" (former MUD room...to create!). I plan to do an AB* (Altered Book) for my Mom. I went up to my sisters attic and got some of my mom's old fabrics for it. More on that soon...I see all of you have been a busy bunch too! Life just doesn't stop for a second. I guess Ferris Bueller was right all along....

More to come soon, promise!!! lia (artjunkgrl)

Self Portrait Challenge: PopART:"Lia-Lyn"

I would like to state the following disclaimer regarding the above "pop art" photo.

1. I was going to skip this week's challenge, which was to go a step further with the Pop art (see the SelfPortraitChallenge website for more details). The reason I was going to "skip" my weekly routine is that I don't have digital software that can manipulate the pics as I have seen on the site and other places. As a result, I spend too much time cursing at my computer, trying to get it to do what it won't and wanting to go do something else...BUT, I persevered and....

2. This is the last week, so I figured, what the heck, I'll give it another go....SO, I learned that I STILL really don't like doing digital photography art. I will stick with glue on my hands and paint on my pajamas and limit my digital art enjoyment to oooing and ahhhing over my latest digital scrapbooking magazine knowing that I don't have that kind of time or patience.

3. I am a great fan of Marilyn Monroe. I really believe she was the most beautiful woman ever. After manipulating her photo and seeing it even closer, I was still in AWE. I also was humbled by the beauty emanating from her photos and was utterly astounded by how incredible homely an goobery looking I am. I thought my features resembled that of a four legged species instead of a glamour girl such as Marilyn.

4. It made me think, hmmmm...maybe I should wear more mascara and kinda do the "half-eyelid open" kind thing more often, "hi, honeeeey, glad your hOme..", he would look and me and say, "have you been sleeping?"...

5. I also thought, sheesh, I really need to get my homebody self off the friggin computer and get some junk done around here.....I've been approached way too many time by "mommy...are you there?" (glazed look in my eyes, no response)...another reason for staying away from digitally manipulating pics for 3000 hours....

6. So where was I, oh yeah, is this challenge over yet already?

So, Marilyn, I'm sorry I merged my face with you, ...but even a little girl like me needs a side glimpse of glamour every now and then.....

LK

"South Laguna", experimenting with mixed-media ATC

I'm really into the beach theme and think I will carry that throughout the summer in my blog....anyway, I'm experimenting alot with some different mediums I have been wantin' to try. I tell you, this took the longest of anything I've worked on thus far. It's got layers of build up on it, acrylics, color pencils, gesso, cut collage pieces and wallpaper, paint on top of that, some markers, you get the picture! Anyhow, I'm definitely trying things out. I make a lot of mistakes, I will tell you about a few pieces I made the last few days later. I recognize this is part of the process when you are trying to explore new territory. Anyhow, I do share almost every thing I make on my blog. even if I'm not 100% happy with it. It helps get me out of my comfort zone. Anyway, enough on that. Gotta go to the eyedoc again. I am still having trouble with my eye. Say a prayer for me or send happy thoughts my way, ok! Have a GREAT beachy day (if only in your mind! lol!)

~Lia

Time for a "Coffee Break", by artjunkgrl

The day started kinda crazy and I'm off again to see my friends for coffee. It's definitely time for a break! It's been raining here like crazy (but I don't mind as I think we need it). The girls ranshackelled the whole house yesterday making "forts"...it was fun though. Well, off I go.

--Lia

(p.s. I could not get this to show up well on the scanner as it had some dark colors/layers....I try to upload it as close to the original as possible. I usually don't make one's this dark I guess...anyway, I used markers, crayon, pastels, over the painted background.) This was my "coffee break", I will be back to my beach obsession theme shortly! :) Lia

"beach house art" by artjunkgrl

Reminds me of the quote:

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home". ~Twyla Tharp

I love the places art takes me to...back in time, to places I've been or I want to go, to a colorful and happy world!

Where will you go today?

--Lia

"try it because...." by artjunkgrl

"try it because...." by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

worked on this little collage last night. Had fun with it. Tried something new. I love putting together collages, it's like doing a puzzle and it is SO relaxing for me. It's definitely my "escape and relax" time!

Items used:
_wallpaper background (from discarded wallpaper books, check your local hardware store. I called once and they were begging me to take them!)
_sewing pattern piece
-vintage image from an vintage sewing magazine
-photo markers (I always use these for the black and white photos to add some light color). If you want to know brand, I will look it up for you.

About the quote: try it because...

try what you say? art, collage, going with the flow, that new dress, a new style, seeing things in more than one way.... you fill in the blank!

Have fun this summer! I'm "trying" to! lol!

--Lia

"life is beautiful" by artjunkgrl

Finally, finally, finally, sat down and did some "art" therapy last night. I have been so involved doing other things around here. I miss art after a few days! I am trying to work on mounting and also "pulling the collage together" with a top coating. I love all the art part, but the tech part does not come as easily to me! I need to step out of my "comfort zone" and add this last "step" to my collages. (another goal? I guess it's time to list my art goals......). Lol....One thing at a time, Lia...right?!

Have a GREAT weekend! xxoo Lia

I need to "consider the season"....

I made this little ATC the other night (before falling asleep on my lap desk). It was a loooong day. I fit in some art at the very end. I've had a few health problems come up...I had a bad sinus infection which spread to my eye! yup, very rare, but just call me the medical mystery. I have a infection in my eye that I did not pay attention to until my vision was impared. With all the stress of graduation, end of year stuff and transferring my mom from rehab, I didn't listen to my body. I did not have any redness or irritation. It was just a gradual but steady cloudiness. At first I thought it was my contacts, so , dummy me, I kept changing them to a new disposable pair. I did this TWICE. Then I just started complaining that my vision must just be getting worse. DUH. Then I wake up one day and boom, I have a large cloud in front of my eye, no depth perception. I then, finally, made a dr. appt. Now, mind you, (and me), if my kids or anyone around me complained about having any ailment what so ever, I would have had them at the dr. in 2 nano-seconds. This led me to the question of

"WHY DO I WAIT TO TAKE CARE OF MY NEEDS"?

Is it laziness, is it that I'm just too busy and I ignore it, or is it that I don't think it matters enough?

Well, that was my wake up call. Apparently my doc says it will now take a while for this to get better and he is treating it "agressively".

So, why am I whining about all this???? Because I want to say to other women who may ignore signs their body is trying to tell them, (like me), to take care of yourself. After this happened, I took out my "to do" lists and found that only one or two things were on the list that I had to do for myself. I then made a NEW LIST.

It reads, "things I need to do for Lia":

1. make doctor appt. to make sure sinus infection isn't back and go on antibiotic again if necessary

2. get two new shirts and two new shorts so that I will stop wearing my daughters (until I have time to get some new ones).

3. clean out my makeup bag so I don't reinfect my eye.

4. Make a schedule for myself so I am not always so stressed out. Work on things I've been putting off. SO,

If you've gotton this far, I just want to say that I hope you make your list today too. What can you do to take care of yourself better? If you are one of those "got it together" kind of gals, what do you do to make sure you don't neglect yourself?

So, in summary, after working all day on junk around my house because I couldn't drive around town, today, I will take a break, "consider the season" and take my advice and get my girls outside and to the pool. I won't feel guilty. the chores and other things can wait. I want to be well so I can be with those I love, in health and for a long time!!

~Lia

from artjunkgrl's "studio"

from artjunkgrl's "studio"
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

From my desk last nite....I was "tidying up" my new "studio". Like I said before, it is in what we formally (or still call) the mudroom, so things end up in there as it's next to the garage, so things going in and out of the house (shoes, etc.) end up cluttering the place. Anyway, I am still sorting some stuff. Got this cool vintage pattern at the local second hand for 25 cents. I loved the color and style of the dresses! Thought it would be cool for a future collage or something, not to mention that the pattern papers inside also are great additions to a collage or other paper project. I just love anything related to sewing. I grew up around this stuff since my mom is a seamstress. She started sewing at age 11. She is way talented. I can only quilt. do not know how to do anything else. she didn't teach me to sew (although I often hung around helping her with little tidying tasks). The reason she would give for not teaching me is that I needed to "get an education" and not do these things. Later in life, I took up a quilting class. I LOVE to quilt. She really frowned upon it, even now that I am 40, ok, 41....she went on and on about the "quilts" and said why would I want to play with all those "little pieces". I told her it relaxed me. She doesn't understand. She said I should wait until I'm old and have blue hair.....she is a crack up. Think "big fat greek wedding" kind of mother. yup. that's my mom. As my sis says, "you just can't make it up.". Anyhow, I'm proud of her for raising us and making education so important, but the little girl in me is always wanting to sew, collage, or whatever. One funny thing happened though earlier this year. I showed her the quilted wall hanging I made from my class and asked her to "finish" the edges for me on her special machine. She took it home and promply called me to say that I had done excellent work on the back of the quilt! she was impressed. That's alot coming from "helga", (that's my nickname for her). Anyway, the reason I wanted to write "from my desk, to my blog" is that I wanted to write out a few "creativity" goals I have for this summer. They mostly involve learning, and I hope to make time to do some of the following:

1. Learn how to mat my collages on to mat board. I've seen a few of these from other artists and I'm amazed at how it makes the collage so sturdy and looking like a mini work of art. I hope I can learn how to do this. I will look into it. So much to learn, wish some of my blog buddies lived near so we could teach each other stuff!

2. I want to scan the collection of vintage photos I have of my parents. I would like to start a "fabric" book with the vintage photos of my mom sewing in her village. (my parents got married older, so essentially, they were old enough to really be my grandparents). Perhaps this is why I have that old world taste in everything. I just got my scanner back yesterday...after 3 weeks in the "repair center", so I am going to be scanning up some of my collages soon as well as the photos.

3. Do some "Freestyle" scrapbooking. This looks right up my alley since I love collage and pictures, and this style is SO much fun and anything goes, kinda like me!

4. Make one collage or painting on a canvas this summer.

5. make one large collage paper "quilt" and frame it (I already know what it's going to look like, just gotta get my junk together). and last but not least.

6. Participate in some swaps. I've heard of these and it sounds like alot of fun. Great way to meet more "artistas" too and have fun wrapping some things up.

Ok, maybe that's overly ambitious, I dunno, but at least this is what is on my mind right now. I do want to commit to staying creative and developing my artwork.

What are your "creative" summer goals?

~Have a great summer day! ~Lia

Summer Fun!

(sidewalk chalk drawing by my daughter Leni)


My Summer "Chillin' Time"


It's summer and I want to play
Keep my to-do lists at bay
For I want to chill with my kids
Drink slurpees and take off the lids

I want to finally say "yes!"
When they ask me to work less
I want to chase down the ice cream truck
And let everything else run amuck

I'll trade in my sneaks for flips
"let's go to the pool" on my lips
I want to hug, kiss and protect
I want to be silly for effect

I want to let go and be free
I want to finally be me.


LK 

Happy Father's Day

My Father
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Dear Daddy,

You were so young and handsome here

You were so strong, you had no fear

I didn't know you, but I was to be

Your first daughter, that was me



I thought of you this morning

and all those special days

when I would give you hand made cards

that you would always save


I love how you used to tell me

that I'd "always be your girl"

I remember when you were

my entire world.


So today I want to say, that we're never really apart

For no one will ever take the place

That you have in my HEART.



~I love you Daddy
PTC
1921-1996
rest in peace

emergency kit...have art, will travel....

Friday Finds~Cute Tins, thanks Lilia
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I had a few inquiries about my "art emergency" kit, ie, lapdesk and ephemera tote. I'd love to share what I do, thanks for asking. I love organizing stuff. The # one principal I've learned is that you "must do what works for YOU!" I think that about everything...even losing weight! I spent years trying to organize by the book, but it didn't work for me. So, having said that, here is what I do.

1. Everything I have bought for my art supplies has a "handle" or is portable. This is so that I can take it anywhere in the house. I have "most" of my stuff in one central area. I get most of my containers from either: $ store (they have alot of portable stuff), something unconventional around the house (tool box, basket with handle, etc. ). Most of them DO NOT CLOSE, they are open on top so that I can slip things in when I find them wandering off to another room in the house, OR, I can plop something in for a quick clean up. I am NOT "compulsive" about everything going in the right slot (for ex. I have a $ store tote with 4 compartments, I put 4 types of marker/pencil, etc. there. I can sort it later when I feel the need to.

2. I have a lap desk. I bought it at an office store, but I checked online and Container Store has it.
This is pretty sturdy, cleans easily and I don't flip open the sides. I just have it on my lap at the couch.

3. Minimal kit stuff: scissors, glue stick, paper, cardstock, a few embellishments.

4. I paint/save background I like ahead and also put those in a tote. When I see an image I like, I save it and I print them all at once. So, in essense, gather your fave ephemera and keep it in one place, over time, then you will have things at your fingertips.

5. When I sit at the couch I will grab, the ephemera tote, the background tote, and the writing implements. The other minimal kit stuff is in my lap desk.

If you all have any more questions, please ask! I can't wait to see what you all will come up with! Remember, you don't have to buy anything fancy, you can use stuff at home. If you have a printer, you can print out free images, you can paint some backgrounds on some junk mail, and there you go! Let your creativity do the rest!

Have a great weekend!

-Lia (artjunkgrl)

"TRY" by artjunkgrl

"TRY" by artjunkgrl
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

have not made a collage for a while. was so glad to sit and have some art time tonight. I used some of my painted newspapers here, My scanner is getting repaired right now so I took a digital pic. I may add something later, but happy to get something down tonight. :)

Self Portrait Challenge~POP ART (the invisible woman)

The Invisible Woman

Sometimes I feel invisible

Like I'm in someone else's dream

Sometimes I feel invisible

An outsider on the team

Sometimes I feel invisible

just swallowed up in fear

Sometimes I feel invisible

When I can feel others are near

Sometimes I am invisible

Doing everything for others

Sometimes I am invisible

Among all other mothers

Sometimes I am invisible

though I am told I am not

I try to speak but am silenced

Or that's how I was taught

Sometimes I try to surface

And scream out, "I AM HERE"

But I am silenced by the noise

in someone elses ear.

LK

Another Corner in Room Re-do

Another Corner in Room Re-do
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I'm still debating the curtain and the room needs something, can't put my finger on it...maybe a little red to jazz things up. perhaps in the new curtain? Help! What happened to my cottagy room? I don't know. KInda bummed on it's evolution....guess I've always thought this as a kids room so I don't know if art studio will happen here.

Had to run all day today, I'm exhausted. I'm going to rest a bit, have a cup of tea and frame some pics for the other wall tonight...I realized this afternoon that I don't have a specific theme going here. The pics I will frame tonight will have a family beach/vacation theme though. I dunno. I'm blah right now. Hit a "wall". LoL. Any suggestions welcome. Andrea- I want your help!!!! hope you visit tonight! Lia

Close up of Corner shelves in Room Re-do

>
Close up of Corner shelves
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Well, I'm getting there. Here is one "corner" that is almost done. You can see more pics on my flickr, (click on corner to go there).

Here is what I've got left to do and what I've stumbled on....

1. I still have one big wall that is empty and I don't know what I'm doing there yet...but it can wait.

2. This corner is nice on top but there is a lot of junk on the desk I put below it. It's kind of an awkward corner....not sure how this will be organized.

3. Curtain: I bought this laura ashley curtain on ebay last year for my daughters room. I have 2 and they are really pretty and new. The color of the wall is in the curtain exactly, but it is still kinda bugging me. It's a little too flowery or bedroomy.....I've been trying to "use what I have", but I think I'd prefer something else here...will have to go search.

4. Problem: I think this room is looking like a nursery! it's the "mudroom" and I'd like to use it as a studio b/c I need the space, but I'm not feeling the artsy thing here....

5. I need to finish bringing in more art supplies. I did organize the white cabinet so I have room to stash stuff in there.

I'll have to sleep on it tonight. any and all suggestions welcome, and thanks for all the comments!

Apparently, I have more than 5 loyal readers, LOL! I've gotten a few sweet notes. Here is an email I got today from Janet.

+++++++
Lia,

I tried to leave a comment on Art Junk but wasn't able....so I'm trying this method!

You can change the number to 6 loyal readers! I have only recently discovered your blog but I read it regularly now. I'm enjoying your room re-do and love the color you chose.

I have been very lax about leaving comments but I'm trying to do better....I understand their importance now that I have a blog of my own. Sometimes it feels as if I'm writing to myself!

And last, but not least....I like your artwork. I love paper, and think collage is fun but sadly I don't do nearly enough of it. Maybe you will be my inspiration to get busy!

Janet


"Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found."
James Russell Lowell

************

Thanks again. More soon, Lia

My Room Re-do

My Room Re-do
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I'm still working, but I got a few things up. I finished all the trim/doors last night after a grad party and visiting my mom in the rehab. place! I am working on this room in between all the other things going on in my hectic life. So far, I've brought things from other parts of the house. I repainted this hanger in cottage white. It was red. (see before pic in earlier post). I also have some white shelves and the curtain hung and I will post those pics when that "corner" is done!

More soon,

Lia

Living the Sidetracked Life~Room redo update

I'm getting there. Slowly moving things back and eliminating some things from the room. I plan to finish up the trim and get some stuff hung today! I'm hoping to not get too "sidetracked". I asked my hubby to try to keep me focussed, (he's military type). He responded, "I look at you and see how happy you are and think, 'should I re-focus her or just let her do her thing'?" I thought that was cute, because I didn't know he was thinking that.

So, I'm off again, hoping to not get "too" sidetracked and hopefully I will have a "close to finish" photo to post soon! I like documenting all this on my blog. It helps me see the progression. I hope I'm not boring anyone, but then again, there is the "next button" you can always push. LOL. So, to my 5 loyal readers, I bid you ado, and will loyally update you soon.

Hope you have a FANTASTIC, creative, weekend, filled with love and doing things that make YOU happy. Because when MOMMA is happy, everyone is happy!!!!

I'll be on my merry way....more soon! ~Lia

Friday's Finds~Linen's

Friday Finds~Linen's
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Here are my "Friday Finds". I "found" them at home! I got out my linens stash, (see cabinet photo) as I am currently making my "mudroom" into a "studio". Yes, I have decided on making it my studio! Anyhow, I am doing the "use what you have decorating" thing since I don't want to spend alot and I have some cool things I can use in a creative way. I saw some fabrics framed in one of my "country Living" magazines (my fave) and I have 4 of the large creme (cottagey) frames below that I bought from a second hand for $20 last year. The vintage fabrics are all from a lot I bought on ebay (also last year) and the one with the writing is from my (seamstress) mother's "attic" collection that was at my sisters. I'm painting the room in a mint green so I'm thinking I may frame the striped and written fabric and make a trio (2 striped, 1 with writing on center). We'll see. I'll keep posting pics of my room re-do. I love "finding" things to use in my own home. I've been married for 20 years and although I have dwindled down my "stash" to just things I love, I still have quite a few things I've bought for "someday" when...well, here I am, excited to do this room. I love the group MaryAnn (follow your bliss) started, Fridays Finds- you must check it out!! Viva la vintage and our great finds!
~Lia

Room Re-do Part 2

Update
Wed., 1 p.m.
still painting...changed color...white is too white...my son says change, bruno came home and gave me "the look"...I'm living on borrowed time...my goal is to finish painting today and have decorated by tomorrow. talk about room re-do in a day...a sign of the times... the theme is moving towards shabby chic cottage (my fave)....now I'm off to Benj. Moore store cause I only had a pint of the color I chose. I was ticked that it was a BM one, because now I gotta treck out to there store....more later. I feel great to finally be doing this, sigh!!! yippeeeee! LK

Room Redo for my "Mudroom", will it be my new studio?

I'm knee deep in paint rollers, furniture, and trouble right now. I wrote a long post to my bloggie friends, but it got lost in blog-this land. So, here I go again, but much shorter since I have to get back to work. Here's the summary...

I have a mudroom I've wanted to paint for years.

I helped a friend paint her living room yesterday.
When I got home, my daughter said, why don't we paint the mudroom.
I said OK!
Now my husband is out of town.
Lucy is going to be in trouble when ricky get's home!
I'm painting it white.
I had the paint already.
I have ALOT of paint from past projects.
Will this be my "studio", I dunno yet.
It's kind of a "throughway" in our home with 3 entrances/exits.
I was painting last night for 3 hours.
I'm finishing up this morning.
while I'm painting, I'm thinking, "I can't believe I'm doing this right now." My daughter is graduating from high school tomorrow. Is this like "reverse" nesting intinct I got before the babies were born and I was painting and re-doing everything.
Seriously, this is the only room left to do on my first floor. It's blue, the rest of my stuff is creme, etc.
Will I be done before "bruno" get's home?
Stay tuned.

Warning: Do not try this at home.

Yes, I am a nut-case, but you all love me anyway, right?????

xxoo Lia

"The Road to a Friends house..." Collage by artjunkgrl

is never long!
~Danish Proverb

(click on photo to make larger)
To my dear blog friends and new friends~

The road to a friend's "blog" is CERTAINLY not long! Thanks for all your friendships, visits to my blog, and comments! You always make my day. I love sharing my art and my heart with you.

~Lia

p.s. done on one of my "junk mail" backgrounds.
image free from one of my fave places, Art-e-Zine.

Summer's Coming!

Beach: "One step closer" by artjunkgrl
Originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I just can't wait for summer.

It's in the midst!

We had a wicked thunderstorm last night, but it was so nice to know that everything parched got a drink and things cooled down a bit.

I really love the rain, but I also love the sunshine! I get all excited when I think about summer...being with the kids, no schedule, just playtime, watching them bob up and down in the pool and play with their friends. all free and happy.

my youngest, JJ, loves to skip. she's a "young" 8 year old. everything is exciting to her. it's so much fun to see things through her eyes.

well, hope you all are excited about summer.

oops...almost forgot....I need a good "beach" read. another fun. I'm on the lookout, haven't indulged in a good book in I don't know how long! any good recommendations?

"uh-oh"..Don't miss this heartwarming blog link.....

Dear Friends and Visitors:

Today I woke up feeling like I got beat up from head to toe last nite. Well, that did not happen. YOu see, I suffer from both arthritis and bouts of chronic fatigue. I never know when it's going to hit. sometimes it's the barometric pressure, sometimes it's from being run down and on the go, sometimes it's from stress about a situation that manifests in my body. I'm currently quite sad about a personal situation in my family so that doesn't help it. My husband is out of town and returns today. I sit here this morning, with my coffee, checking on email, making my list, and trying to pin down which things to tend to for my daughters upcoming grad. events. As always, I thought I'd go check my "flickr" account "real quick" (I'm a bit addicted to flickr lately) before getting on with the day. I saw a picture of Nancy's "uh oh" doll, with a reference to read about it on her blog. I had to go see what Nancy said about this little hand made "uh oh" doll (I know nancy for often having funny names for things, but also for her positive attitude). Well, Nancy's Post left me in puddles. Again, she had another great message to share. I was shocked to see that she suffers from chronic pain. You would never know with her attitude! Her positive attitude helped me so much in the past, so I wanted to share this cute story of her's with you. So if you don't have a lot of time today, or if you are feeling kind of "uh 0h" about anything, go read the story of Nancy's Uh Oh doll, I'm sure it will put a smile to your face, it did mine. I'm ready to seize the day. pain and all. thank you, Nancy!!!!!!!! Love,Lia

"land of dreams" by artjunkgrl

"land of dreams" by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

from a background I painted this weekend.

Today is my wedding anniversary and it coincides with my oldest daughters last day of High school.

"welcome to the real world"....John Mayer.

I am sad and happy too.

I've thrown myself into a good clean up of my home.

prom is tomorrow.

want to make the house look pretty for the joy that lies in the days ahead.

--Lia

"just imagine.." by artjunkgrl

"just imagine.." by artjunkgrl, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

more collage on painted paper...this is fun! I love the freestyle thing! :)Lia

journaljunk entry: Art Brain Overload!

I love art and feel blessed to see life in a creative way, but the bad part of it is that I often lack focus. There are SO many fun things to learn through art sites, memes, etc., not to mention great inspiration on flickr, but sometimes my brain goes on overload! I need to slow down and focus a bit. It's hard to do b/c it all looks so fun! Do you ever feel like this? If so, how do you focus your artwork?
I also want to say thankyou to those artists who responded before on how they approach their artwork: plan vs. no plan. It was SO helpful and VERY interesting to read/hear your responses. I also gathered that it is a common thing for artists to keep an "idea"/inspiration book. I will start to do so, I think this will really help! thank you SO much! --Lia

This is your mind on art....any questions?

here's what I made this weekend during our home, "painting fest". I love doing this a few times a month! My daughter JJ made a few beautiful pieces as well, check my flickr pics by clicking on photo above so you can see all my notes...I highly recommend just letting go and getting free with art, this is all the fun to me! :) Lia

Inspire Me Thursday~Abstract Art Challenge

I spent some time this weekend getting out the paints and randomly painting some backgrounds for collaging as well as making a few abstract pieces for the current Inspire Me Thursday challenge: Abstract Art. I was so excited to see this as this week's topic because it's the type of art I like to look at and dabble in most! I think it's because it often includes LOTs of color and it's just really the way my brain sees things. As a child I was very drawn to Picasso paintings when learning about him at school. This type of art comes most easiest to me. The Inspire Me Thursday site has some awesome links on abstract art. I learned so much. One of the things I've learned since participating in these meme's is my art style. I feel this is so important because it shows me where I need to grow. One of the things that currently bothers me is that I normally don't have a plan. I sounded very similar to the beginner person described in the "how to paint abstract art" on the IMT link. I often don't sketch first. I'm often quite random. I have gotten better about walking away and not finishing the piece, but I do often lack a plan. I don't paint often, and when I do, I just go with the flow. That is probably why I love abstract art so much...anything goes and that is right up my alley!! One of my goals, however, in growing as an artist would be to have a somewhat of a plan or theme before I start. I really think this would help me get out what I want to when I'm making a piece. Anyway, the above little "abstract painting", painted on the back of a piece of a magazine advertisment (lol) is one that I painted, then outlined. I also painted lots of backgrounds to collage on, which hopefully I will get to this week! I would love to hear how others create and if they have a plan or not. (aside from the original idea). Also, if you do one type of art, do you get bored with it? Drop me an email or comment and let me know. I really want to learn and learning from other artists helps me most! Hope to 'catch' you this week on the blog! :) :) Lia

Try it Tuesdays, finished piece for my BOD

I finally got around to some coveted time with my Book of Dreams! I worked on the transparency I had decided on: a personal wedding photo printed on fabric paper. Well, I put in in the collage and worked with it over and over and it just didn't look right to me. I didn't like it at all! So, off it went and I went to plan "B" and put these cute little girls in and painted over the ripped out piece, then stamped the word "Dream" on that part. Now I'm happy with it. I just have a hard time trying to make something work. I have really learned what type of art person I am from working on these memes! I am totally random. I like to just throw a bunch of stuff together until I'm happy with it. I get lost in the process of it all. I love LOTs of color. I have also learned that I have a hard time putting my own personal pics in my collages. I don't know why. I love when I see artists using photos of their kids and wish I could do the same. Maybe I have trouble with it because I am experimenting alot and I rip stuff out, or perhaps because I want to be detached from the pieces I'm creating with and get lost in "making up a story" of it's own. I just love old photos, especially "rescuing" them as ArtsyMama mentioned in her tutorial in week 3. Anyway, I am going on and on and I need to go to bed! I have another big day ahead tomorrow in mommy-land. Things are going to be really crazy for a few weeks til my daughter graduates. I can't wait til summer! It will be awesome to have a break from our crazy schedules and do lots and lots of ART! Last summer, my younger daughters and I worked on altered books. They still have them tucked away and I'm bringing them out again! Well, have a great weekend everyone, and I hope to be posting some more stuff soon. I'm trying to get back into the "groove" again! :) Lia
p.s. for more info on making your own "Book of Dreams", visit ArtsyMama's Blog.

For Andrea E.~"Give them wings...."

I was inspired to make this today after reading andrea e.'s blog. I'm going through a similar experience in mommy "growing pains". ~Lia

Self Portrait Challenge-Introductions

This is a challenge as I don't like talking alot about me and I don't like to show pics of myself often. I'm sure "O" would say that I don't "love myself" but that's not true. Maybe I'm a bit shy, maybe I'm a bit protective, or maybe it's just that there is not alot to tell! If you want to know more more about who I am and what I like, then take a look at my art. I think this should be able to tell what I can't tell you with words. I think that art is a way that I can verbalize what I feel inside, the person I really am deep down. Things I'm "working out" or things that get pushed to the back of my mind when I'm too busy to think straight.
I am also,(pardon the overused expression), like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get! I am just really a mixed bag of stuff. I like alot of things. I like to change stuff around. I guess there are some things about me that stay the same, but I haven't really thought about it and perhaps I will share some in my next may into "installment". I pretty much conform with those around me, but if you look really close, I'm rather different. I don't do the "nail, hair, clothes" thing alot. I always look neat, but I'm often donning a ponytail, jeans and plain top (which I love to wear-comfort is key). I like simple things (materially speaking). I like older stuff because they are to the point and uncomplicated. It doesn't take alot to make me happy. I'm probably a bit on the naive side. I can be ditzy too. I don't keep score. I love a good cup of coffee in the morning a good cup of herbal tea in the afternoon. I don't make fancy meals. I like the basics. So does my family. When I find something I like, I stick with it. I guess I'm a bit of a "cleanie" but a bit of a "messy" at the same time. I love order. I thrive on order, but my many interests sometimes take over space and then I have to pair things back and corral my stuff. I am obsessed with magazines. Mostly home decor, some art, some beauty (in style) is my fave. An occassional peek at People mag. during vacations. Ok, that is enough for now, hope I have not bored you silly...yawn....off I go. Have a great day all!!!!!! -Lia

p.s. the pic above is from my Mixed Media Memoirs journal page. I'm combining some of my challenges!

Book of Dreams~Week 2 {layers}

I was not crazy about how this turned out, but I learned alot. This past week we worked on layering in our book of dreams with the help of our leader extraordinare,ArtsyMama.
I am not very patient when it comes to this (I learned), I wanna just slap that image down before putting anything under it and building up to the top image. I also tried a new coppery color paint I bought b/c I liked the look, but I don't know, kind of dark for me...I'm trying to get away from doing everything green! but I have to have some green in it. Not sure if this will stay in my book, but I am going to try again and work on this technique.

p.s. ArtsyMama posts a new technique each Wednesday. Today she has posted for Week 3. For more info on starting your book of dreams, visit her blog! See y'all later! Lia

Artwords Theme this week: "Indulge"

ArtWords Theme this week: "Indulge", originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

I've just joined a new weekly challenge for art journalling (which I love) and it's called, Artwords: the online journal. This week's theme is on indulgence. I had to think about it for a few days as there is really SO much I can write about it...ahem....hand over the chocolate or else here....anyway, I have a war within and a war without about the whole indulgence thing. I wish I had balance in this area. There are things I'd rather not indulge in as well as things I have been thinking of lately that I'd like to indulge in MORE. So, this is what came out in my art journal today. A good reminder for me to look back on and remember what is most important to me. :) LK

Long Time, No Blog...

It seems like FOREVER since I've blogged!!! I guess it's only been a week? I dunno, have to check. Blogging has become a sort of routine thing for me. It kind of has a life of it's own. A place I go to share my artwork, meet awesome people with like interests, and stay inspired. But, I found I needed a break from it this past week. Just some time to think "out of the blog" so to speak. I did not do something artful every day, which is not the usual for me as I love to at least keep my art journal daily, but again, it just wasn't happening. My brain was on overload with all else that has been going on in my home and I just felt the need to regroup. There is just so much out there to do and I find it hard to focus and chose what I want to do while maintaining my usual routine with my kids. I noticed that it had been a while since I had just relaxed and cleared my mind of everything, even art. So I took my break and started re-evaluating the time I spend blogging. Then I got some awesome emails from other bloggers and flickr contact that got me excited about coming back. I'm still amazed at how the internet can connect so many kindred spirits. All my life I thought I was different. People would tell me I was "so creative" but my mother often told me I didn't have time to be making costumes and quilting and all the other stuff I liked trying to do. I thought I had too many interests and was not "focussed" and "normal" like my friends who did everything "by the book". Then I started blogging and saw that there are so many creative, artist individuals who also share love of vintage things, reading, photography and all the other things I like. I can't tell you all how comforted this makes me feel. I feel so happy when I am doing my art and sharing it with others. However, I've also found that I cannot just "make something" on demand either. I have to be in the right state of mind. I am not a trained artist. I just make things from my heart, from the feelings/likes/emotions/experiences that I have inside me. This has been tremendously healing for me. I don't think I can ever go back to not having art be a large part of my life.
Well, sorry to go on if you have gotten this far, but I wanted to share what I felt and what I've been thinking about this past week. I will be posting some of my art soon for the groups I participate in. Hope everyone is having a great week!

my little canvas junk~Lady Bug Creature Comfort

my little canvas junk~This time a little creature for Bellah, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

For Bellah. :)

just when I thought I put the little canvases away for paper fun, this little one crawled out. tee hee...:)LK