DAY 8 and 9 CHRISTMAS TAGS

OMG

You need to be young to raise a puppy.  I forgot how much work it is.  I'm EXHAUSTED!!!!
Mojo doesn't stop for a minute.  He's either chewing everything in site, running and playing or Pee-ing all over the house.  BUT, he's so cute!!!!!  I guess he's normal for a 9 week old. Perseverence is my new motto.  HE WILL CALM DOWN AND BE TRAINED!!
I haven't had a chance to do anything but keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get into
trouble.

MEET MOJO

MOJO

We broke down and adopted a new puppy.  So far, he has been a good little dog.  He slept all night(in bed with us).  He is so cuddley and loves to play.  He's been a perfect little boy. Still doesn't understand the concept of going outside to pee.  That will be our biggest obstacle.   Believe it or not, he also has the same Birthday as me.  He's really dark in color(so different than Sunny).  I love  him so much already.   

DAY 6

Instead of using Dabber's, I used alcohol inks.  I like the effect better.

I hardly used any of the supplies he suggested.

DAY 5

DAY 4

It seems to me that all the tags are beginning to look alike.  Too much of the same color.
Need to be a little  more original and do more of my own thing.

DAY 3

Can't believe I'm obscessed with these tags .  I think the reason I'm liking it is the fact that I have to

search in my stash of supplies and stuff to improvise.  I wonder how much it would cost to buy all of Tim's products to make the 12 tags.  I have none of his Christmas dies.  I've been down loading

photos from web sites who sell his products.  I copy them to photoshop and minipulate them to the correct size.  Am I saving money or what? Where there's a will there's a way! 

DAY 2 CHRISTMAS TAG

Can't believe it took me all morning to create this.  I didn't want to copy Tims version exactly.
It took me awhile experimenting with differnt colors and elements.
I love his new color distress ink(Iced Spruce), but I hope he switches to another color tomorrow.

CHRISTMAS TAG-DAY 1

Today was the first day of the 12 DAYS of Christmas By Tim Holtz.  Love doing his tags.
Since I don't have all the supplies he uses, I improvised the best I could.

What Fun! 

TIME FLIES AGAIN

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving.  This is the first time in many years i'm not having it at my house.  Usually, by this time, I'm busy planning, shopping and getting nervous about all the cooking.
I must say, it feels good, although I'll miss my family (son and grandchildren). Keith is with his dad in North Carolina.  Miranda and Alex are in Disney (with Mom).
I've been busy with alot of my art committments.  Some,. still in the planning stages. 
My class "Gut Art" has ended and now I'm taking a free Mandala Class.

I just finished my Christmas Inchies and Row Houses.  Need to send them off. They were fun to create.
My next project will be PERSONAL MAP MAKING . A tutorial by Jill Berry on the Art Blog Hop.

Sandy came over the other day and we finally played with our Gel Plates we bought last summer at Create. We ended up with a bunch of MONOPRINTS. It was so much fun. Good background paper.
I love playdates!!!!!

11-11-11

WHO SAID THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A LUCKY DAY. I GUESS I BLEW THAT THEORY.
TAKE A LOOK :

WHAT DID I LEARN FROM THIS?  FOCUS AND BE MORE OBSERVENT.  WHAT A DAY!
11-11-11 IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO BE A SPIRITUAL DAY OF AWAKENING.  I SEE NOTHING SPIRITUAL ABOUT THIS.
ANYWAY, NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED.  MY INSURANCE WILL COVER ALL OF IT.
THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT.  THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT.

SUNNY

 Sunny (my little friend for 14 years) was put to sleep on October 27th.  He became very ill and
there seemed to be no hope for a quality life.  It was such a hard decision to make.  I know in my heart, he's in a better place and he's not suffering.
 Bob and I miss him so much.  There's such a big void.
The photo above, is a shrine I made to honor him which will  always remind us of how much he was loved.  It's sitting on my coffee table which I  see every day.

WHAT TO DO?

Now What?  I made all of this stuff for a craft show which was cancelled.  I need to figure out a
way to sell them.  Any ideas?

I WAS PUBLISHED!

Issue # 285 September 12, 2011

Highlights of this issue: Soul Friends: Harriet Reese - Aurora, Illinois Idea of the Week KaleidoSoul's Glorious Give-Away Extravaganza New Tele-Series with Cat Caracelo: Personal Mythos Journey - LAST WEEK TO REGISTER! KaleidoSoul Affiliate Program Next Tele-Class: Breaking Through Creative Blocks, with Nancy Norbeck Upcoming Tele-Classes Schedule KaleidoSoul Oasis Audio Breaks Upcoming SoulCollage® Retreats - NM, MA, HI NEW: Guatemala Soul Nourishment (Resources for SoulCollagers) Contact Information Quotation of the Week All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware. --- Martin Buber Soul Friends The Voice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each Week Harriet ReeseAurora, Illinois After my husband passed away, I was searching for a new meaning to life. I accidently came across Seena's book and I knew "SoulCollage" was for me. It was a perfect way to incorporate my love of collage and my need to find my life purpose. Little did I know, it would also help with my grieving (see below). After making my first card, I knew I was hooked! I was in total awe of the process and how it made me connect to my sub-conscious and how it made me aware of deep rooted issues and feelings. Often, I would look at my finished card and wonder where it came from. ME OF COURSE! SoulCollage® has been in my life for eight years and I intend to continue using it forever. I have participated in a few gatherings and I've shared the process with many of my friends. I love searching for images. My collection has grown by leaps and bounds and I know it will keep on growing. I'm sure every image I have cut out has a message not yet understood or discovered. My best advice for anyone just starting out is to LET GO AND LET GOD! Quiet your inner critic and trust yourself. Here are 2 of my SoulCollage® cards: MOURNER I am the one who needs to mourn. I am the one who needs to break down. I am the one who needs to show the world I CAN cry. I am the one who needs to say good-bye. SEEKER I am the one always searching for the truth. I am the one who needs to explore. I am the one who needs to know. I am the one who needs answers. I am the one who is forever on a quest for the hidden.

IF EYES COULD TALK

Auntie Harriet and Leo

Had my family over yesterday.  Lots of food and fun! 
Check out Leo's eyes!   So big and round.  He's a beautiful child.
It feels good to hold a baby.  It's been a long time.

Card for Cottage Stamper "Lunch Date"

Once a month we meet at Cottage Stamper in St. Charles, Il  for a LUNCH DATE. 
A group of women get together to swap cards from a technique given to us the previous month by the store owner.  Not only do we have fun swapping, but enjoy a very nice lunch.  We talk, play and share ideas. Oh, a little shopping too!  It's a great way to meet new people who have the same interests.
The above card is my swap for September.   I used a Michael Strongs stamp (love him), Tim Holtz Distress Inks, White and black embossing powders and a stamp from for the background by Hero
Arts.
Can't  wait to see next month's technique.

MONOTYPE

Thanks to Helen Shafer Garcia and her class I took at CREATE,I've been busy experimenting with monotypes. I went thru the entire process, but I think I filled it in too much .  It looks more like a

watercolor painting than a monotype.  I guess I need to do more of them to get the feel of it.
Actually I'm enjoying it so much, I'm going to Dick Blick's to get more Rives paper today.

WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?

As usual, the summer is speeding by.  A few more weeks and we will be viewing all the beautiful fall colors(my favorite).

I'm attaching a photo of our September ATC SWAP.  It was a small group because of the Holiday. As usual, we had fun.  The Technique for September was Zentagles.

I'm a bit dissapointed that our community Craft Show was CANCELLED!  The reason being our Association will not allow children under 18 and it can not be open to the public.  Doesn't that suck?
I have spent the past few months focusing on creating items for the show. Now I have all kinds of stuff to sell.  I guess I need to find another Venue for it.  I'm selling bracelets, guardian angel zipper pulls, purse jewelry and note cards, as well as some Christmas gift card envelopes and tags.
Oh well, I guess I need to be more pro-active in selling. Any ideas?

CREATE RETREAT

I'm back from Create.  I took three classes.  Enjoyed all of them.
Met with old and new art friends and stayed at the hotel for 2 nights (even thought it was close to home).
It gave me the sense of being away from home.
Below are photos of what I created.  Excuse the poor quality of my picture taking.  I'm still on a learning curve with my new camera.

The first one is a monotype with watercolor and pastels from a class with Helen Shafer Garcia
The glass book was made in a class with Thomas Ashman
The three minature books were made in a 3 hour class Wednesday nite. 
I can't wait for the next retreat to take  classes from more instructors.

FAMILY REUNION

                                                               Naomi, Joni, Harriet

                                                                  Brother  Joel

Had a great time with my siblings and other family members.  Naomi, Joel, Rachel and Stella came in from New York.  I met them in the city and we went to vist our old neighborhood, HYDE PARK. We walked and walked, saw old and new sights.  It was  a walk down memory lane.
Later in the day we met the rest of the family for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant on North Wells.
I haven't walked so much since I was in New York last year.
On Saturday, we all went to Joni and David's house for a Barbeque in Rogers Park.  As usual, it was great seeing my entire family together.  I wish we all lived closer. Hopefully, we can do this every year.

HELLO WORLD

I can't believe so much time has passed since my last entry.  Unbelievable!!!!
I've been busy creating (as usual).  I'm participating in a show and have spent the last few months preparing for it.  I'll upload pics later.
I'm still involved with my ATC group.  I'm also participating in a round robin and getting together with mostly art friends and family. A big family reunion is coming up at the end of July. Can't wait.

I signed up for a few  classes at CREATE  next month.  It's so close to home  The best thing is there is no air fare and hotel costs.  It's alot cheaper than going to "Art Unraveled" in Phoenix.  I did reserve a hotel room for 2 nights.  I wanted to get the feel of a mini retreat!
No big travel plans at the moment.  I'm hoping to go somewhere in the next few months.
Well, enought for now.  It felt good to blog again.

IS IT SPRING YET?

What a winter!  Not only in the Chicago area, but all over the world.  What's going on?   It's Too much .

All I've been doing is making cards with flowers, birds, butterflies and anything bright and cheerful.
It keeps my mind off the dullness of winter.
Below are three of my cards.

Since we're not going to Phoenix, I've decided to visit Sandy in Ft. Meyers Florida. I'll be leaving on February 14th.  I guess I won't be spending Valentines Day with Bob. Am I being selfish?
I should have waited one more day.  Wasn't thinking when I made the reservation. He doesn't
seem bothered by it.
I've been participating in the Sketchbook Challenge.  I've actually sketched every day since the 1st of January. I'm finding it very relaxing.
I also signed up for Carla Sonheins "SILLY" workshop.  So far I have  looked at the assignments,but haven't done them. Just not feeling it right now. 

WELCOME 2011

I hope the new year brings love, health, peace , happiness and new friends for all!

Bob and I made our frist big decision of the year!  We've decided to go to Phoenix in February instead
of next week.  It just feels like a better time.
 It's nice to be able to change plans and have no consequences other than to ourselves..
Now that I know we're still here for a month I'm going to seriously work on my projects.

I spent a good part of New Years Day trying to get my PC to link up to the internet.  For the life of me, I couldn't get it to work.  I still can't.  I NEED AN EXPERT to help me link up.  I hope I don't spend the entire day trying again.  It's driving me crazy especially because it worked the last time I used it.
I hate unfinished business.  Hmmmm, need to get out and forget about it.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE