treats from wendylynn...

i saw an awesome tutorial on making paper bead bobby pins at wendylynn's paper whims.  i seriously thought i would make some.  instead i visited her etsy shop and for a very reasonable price got some already made!

and while i was there could not resist this steampunk skull necklace for hallowe'en!

and let me tell you it is gorgeous in person. i'll take my picture wearing it later.  anyway, just wanted to share -- especially because the bobby pin tutorial is such a great idea and i still might get around to making some of my own!

love to all.

play time with tape

one of my favorite art teachers is carla sonheim.  i found her when looking for independent art teachers in my area. interestingly enough the class i took from her, a drawing class called "the art of silliness," was an online class and i've never actually met her even though we do live in the same city!  she is all about freeing yourself up, being silly, being happy, loving your artist within.   i continue to follow her blog and found this fun "animal in tape" tutorial. 

you start by randomly placing tape and then you examine your random placement for an animal hiding in there -- her blog post gives all the details.  on this first piece i don't think i quite followed her directions but i still had fun.  anyway i gave it a second go:

so yeah, silly indeed, but very enjoyable.  her post offered a wonderful invitation for playtime and today was a good day to play.  check out her blog post and her blog (there is also a giveaway...) and notice her book on my sidebar on the right.

happy week folks.  love to all.

a wonderful giveaway from art by wendy

here is a fabulous blog alert: art by wendy.  she makes beautiful art AND she is having a giveaway to celebrate her followers.  the giveaway is one of these amazing mini books.

she also offers a tutorial on how to make these for yourself:  mini-book-necklaces-and-keychains tutorial.  this looks like a wonderful project to try.

please visit and follow her blog, i think you'll like it.  by the way, just to pay it forward, i found out about wendy's blog from another wonderful blogger cindy of art books & tea.  she shares delightful art pieces, gorgeous teacups and more.  so i say follow them both!
love to all.