My 500th Blog Post!!!!

This is the 500th blog post since I began this whole sharing thing back in March of 2008.  It's hard to believe that I thought I had something important to say 500 times in three years.  LOL.  Seriously, I think what is important to me is the sharing.  I am fortunate in that I not only have forged relationships with wonderful artists in the online world, but I am  in a community of like minded souls in the "real" world as well.  I know there are many whose only connection to people who share their passion is through online groups, classes and blogs.  Even though I am blessed to have artsy peeps I get to see and share ideas with and create with, there are days when I wake up feeling alone, and when I write here I feel like I'm talking to friends.  And when these friends pause for a moment to leave a comment, it feels like a real conversation, and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.

Well, that is way more than enough seriousness for me!  Now, on to something fun.  Speaking of my community of art pals, I recently hosted a page swap, and the other night we met so I could give everyone their completed books.  I did covers for everyone and bound the books with my mighty Cinch.  We also had some good food and drink.  Our theme was Spring/Nature and these pages are just packed with flowers, birds, and  butterflies.  I think the books are wonderful, even more so because my friends worked in them.

Even using the largest coil available, the books don't close flat....lots of embellishments inside!

the cover:

my page:

Laurel:

Heidi:

Kahena:

Gayle:

Michele:

Pat:

Corris:





Heather:

Now, what to do as a 500th post celebration.......if there was something I showed you on this blog that you really liked, leave a comment here and whoever Mr. Random.Org picks will get something I'll make especially for them, inspired by the piece they mention.  Or maybe, if I haven't already given it away, they'll get the original piece.  And yes, even if you live ten time zones away, if you are picked, I'll send it to you.

Again, thanks everyone for stopping by, leaving a comment when you can, and helping me feel like I'm part of a much larger community that "gets" me. 

xoxo
Eileen

A Great Mail Day

Sometimes the mail carrier brings me bills, and sometimes he makes my heart sing!  Today, my heart was belting out an entire soundtrack.

The photo above is the end result of a several months long progressive swap masterminded by my friend Liz in the ATT group.  Liz sent out nine plain unfinished frames, about 5x5", and the same number of those vials used in drawing blood.  That was it!  Each of the nine people in the swap added something and the little masterpiece you see above is what we came up with.  The pieces traveled a total of 16, 344 miles, and crisscrossed the country several times, going from Liz in Arizona to Allie in Oklahoma, to Jason in Texas, to Nancy in California, to me in New York, to Pam back in California, to Peggy in Ohio, to Barbara in Oregon, to Julie in Montana, and finally, back to Liz in Arizona.  Liz finished them off and then mailed one to each of us.
I doubt if the photo does this justice, but click on it to see the details.  I don't know how it happened, (and I have to credit the final participants here) but it became a wonderful and cohesive work of art!  Thanks Liz and everyone else for this great experience and unique and beautiful piece that I will cherish forever!

As if that wasn't enough, also in the mail was a totally unexpected package from Japan.  Jessica, a military wife from my ArtHaven group sent me this cool RAK:

 

I just love that the package of pink lace has a label in Japanese!  Trust me, the label will find its way into a project.

Speaking of ArtHaven, I was lucky enough to win the February Lottery there, and everyone who submitted a piece (the theme was Happiness) will be sending theirs to me.  Today I received this beauty from my dear friend Angie:

 

I love the sentiment, and would you believe that the base started out as one of those coffee cup sleeves you slide over the cup to keep from getting burned?  Angie is an amazing artist and just loves to find interesting uses for what most folks would toss in the trash.

No photo for these, but there was also a new journal to work on.  Yea!  This one is from my Journal of Dreams group, and it belongs to Sarah, who lives in Australia.  

And the new idea book by Wendy Vecchi was in the mail too.

Like I said, a great mail day.   My email brought me a few surprises as well.  Several of my very kind cyber friends decided to pass along various blog awards to me.  I would like to acknowledge them and thank them for thinking of me.

Lori sent me this one:

 

Valerie sent me this:

 

And Celeste sent:

 

I decided a while back not to do this blog award thing any more.  I absolutely can't think of any more interesting things about myself to share and I love too many people and too many blogs to try to pick out the five or seven or ten to pass them on to.  So, I'm not adding these to my sidebar or passing them forward, just saying thanks to those who gave them to me, and hope this doesn't offend anyone.

One World One Heart 2010

 ****THIS POST WILL REMAIN ON THE TOP OF MY BLOG FOR THE DURATION OF OWOH, SO TO SEE NEW POSTS, SCROLL DOWN.****

***** I've noticed that many people who have been nice enough to leave comments have not left any contact information.  Remember, If I can't contact you, I can't send you a prize!*****

I am thrilled to be participating once again in One World One Heart, a wonderful concept in blogland.  Beginning today, bloggers all over the world will announce their participation, and reveal the prizes they will be giving away.  The purpose is to encourage people, bloggers and non-bloggers alike, to visit and make connections.  Anyone with this year's OWOH logo on their blog is a participant.  If you'd like more information (it is not too late for you to join in), just click on the logo above.

To win one of my prizes you must leave a comment ON THIS POST ONLY by February 15th, the date that Lisa Swifka, founder of the event, has chosen as the closing date.  For most bloggers, February 16th will be the day for announcing prize winners.

I will be out of the country on the 16th, so please note that I will most likely be announcing my winners when I return on the 20th.  If I can get online while I'm away, I will, but I'm assuming for now that I won't.   And should I be lucky enough to win something  I won't be able to claim my prize until the 20th, so I hope you'll hold it for me!  Please!

AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!  In your comment you must leave your email address so I can contact my winners.  I spent a lot of time last year trying to track down people who did not do so, so this year I won't include in my drawing any posts without an email address.  Also, only one comment per person.  Duplicates will be deleted.  Some people limit this event to active bloggers only.  I have too many good friends who don't have blogs, so my giveaway is open to everyone.

As for my giveaways,  so far I have three planned.  I may add to that if I see I'm getting lots of comments.

First prize, a nice sized box full of brand new supplies.  There will be (at least), several full sized Tim Holtz masks, two Distress Ink pads, three bottles of Stickles, three pots of Perfect Pearls, ribbon, and three containers of Maya Road trinket pins.

My next prizes are two of my Art Goddess pins.  I make them from real old and rusted keys, grungepaper and grungeboard, and Tim Holtz idea-ology hardware.  They both have tie tack style pin backs, and would look great on the lapel of any Art Goddess out there.

 

When you click on the OWOH logo, you will be taken to the site that explains everything and lists all participating blogs.  Visit and leave comments on as many as you can.  Check back often, as new blogs will be added as their authors sign up.

I myself can't wait to start visiting new blogs,  making new friends, and finding new inspiration in the blogosphere.  I did last year, and I have a feeling this year's event will be even bigger and greater.  I hope you will join in this experience either as a blogging participant or visitor, or better yet, both.

One World One Heart 2010 Is Coming!

Last year I participated in OWOH for the first time, and it was an amazing experience.  It introduced me to creative bloggers all over the world, and also introduced them to me!
I met some people whose blogs I still follow, and many of the kind folks who regularly visit my blog and leave me nice comments first found me during the OWOH event.
OWOH 2010 will be here before you know it.  I urge all you bloggers to participate.  If you don't have a blog of your own, you can still be part of it.  Just visit as many of the listed blogs as you can, leave comments, and you'll have a very good chance of winning some cool stuff.

All the details regarding the 2010 event can be found here.

Now all I have to do is figure out what MY giveaway(s) will be and start creating!

Over the Top??? Me??? Huh???

Well, my cruise pal Lori received this blog award and decided to pass it on to me.  Very cool; I appreciate it. But.....now I have to pass it on to 5 more blogs (hard enough), and then answer a boatload of questions.  Lori, Lori, Lori....what have you done to me?

At least all the questions are only supposed to be answered with a single word.  Let's see...

1. Where is your cell phone?… kitchen

2. Your hair?…wet

3. Your mother?… sad

4. Your father?…deceased

5. Your favorite food?…Italian

6. Your dream last night?…mountains

7. Your favorite drink?…dietpepsi (see, I made it one word)

8. Your dream/goal?…published

9. What room are you in?…studio

10. Your hobby?…art

11. Your fear?…Alzheimers

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?..alive

13. Where were you last night?…teaching

14. Something that you aren’t?…inlove (see, again, one word)

15. Muffins?…corn

16. Wish list item?…?

17. Where did you grow up?…New York (can't help it; it is not one word)

18. Last thing you did?…shower

19. What are you wearing?… jeans

20. Your TV?…off

21. Your Pets?…none

22. Friends?…fabulous

23. Your life?…fun

24. Your mood?…happy

25. Missing Someone?…no

26. Vehicle?…bus

27. Something you're not wearing?…lipstick

28. Your favorite store?…ContainerStore (aren't I clever?)

29. Your favorite colour?…green

30. When was the last time you laughed?…minutes

31. Last time you cried?… week

32. Your best friend?…Kymmy

33. One place that I go to over and over?…grocery

34. Facebook?…yes

35. Favorite place to eat?…Ruby Foo's (and it closed....waaaaaah)

Now, to pass this on.....I'm going to do what my friend Teri does when she gets awards for her fabulous blog.  She posts it, and invites people to take it.  There are just too many wonderful over the top blogs out there, and I don't want to leave anyone out or keep giving the same blogs awards all the time (though some really do deserve that).

So, if you're a regular here, and you know I'm a regular on your blog, please feel free to grab this award and run with it.  You know who you are!

An Award That Makes Me Smile

My good friend and sister-in-art, Valerie presented me with this award and it means a lot.  First, because Val is talented, generous and someone I admire greatly, and secondly, because the award is for blogs that bring a smile to your face.  What is better than knowing you've made someone smile?  Check out Valerie's blog, The Sum of All Crafts to see what I mean.

Now, the hard part.  I am to pay this forward and name 5 bloggers to receive it next.  Of course, since Val and I "travel" in many of the same circles, and know the same people, she went ahead and named bloggers I'd have loved to send this to.  So hard.  I want to pass it on to great people, and I also want to spread the word about some blogs you may have missed. 

Well, here goes......

Altered By Me....Arlene is one of my Paper Imagery Designs design teammates, and her lovely work and unique approach always brings a smile to my face.

Diann's Art Spot.....Diann's blog is as beautiful and elegant as she is, and her work is fabulous.  She was recently on an art retreat doing a book with a gypsy theme.  You'll smile at her pages for sure!

scrappassion.....I met Helena on the cruise and started following her blog to see her cruise pictures.  Now I follow simply because it is a great and beautiful blog.

Stamp With Stephanie...Stephanie is another great lady I met on the cruise.  One of my tablemates, in fact.  Steph is talented for sure, but also one of the most open, honest and FUNNY women I've ever met.  All that comes out in her blog and I know you'll enjoy it as well.

Tabby's Place....Kim is one of the first people I met when I entered the world of yahoo groups.  I've swapped many pieces with her over the years and love her work.  Her blog is as inspiring and entertaining as she is.

Now for the last part of this award, I'm to list 5 things you may not know about me.  Yikes!  You know I try to keep this blog about art, so getting too personal is not my thing here, but I'll give it a try:

1.  Next month I turn 62 (how the hell did that happen?) and I've applied for Social Security.  Enough said.
2.  My first full time job after college was an editorial assistant for a food industry trade magazine.  In addition to clerical work I sometimes got to write......blurbs about ketchup dispensers and spatulas.
3.  I JUST joined Facebook and am still trying to figure it out.  Why do people keep wanting to send me fish and flowers and hearts?
4.  If you know me, this is no little known fact.  It is my claim to fame, so I'm using it again for those few who may not know.....I was at Woodstock in the summer of '69.  Yes I was.
5.  I enjoy fishing.  Really.  Even putting bait on a hook doesn't creep me out.  Haven't gone in years.  Once had a fisherman bf.  But would go again.  Anyone have a boat?

An Award! and Some Tags

Here I am, drinking coffee and checking out all the blogs I follow, and what do I see on my friend Jennifer's blog?  She was given (very rightfully so) this Best Blog Award, and much to my surprise, she passed it on to me!

Thank you Jennifer!  Now, go check out Artistically Designed Diversions while I ponder who I should pass this on to....the hardest part of getting a blogging award is picking only a few blogs to get it next.  There are just countless great ones out there.

Well, you don't know this, but I've been away for a while thinking and drinking (coffee, that is), and here are the blogs that are getting the award from me.  Visit them!

The ART and Musings of Shelly Rae Wood  -- Shelly finds junk and turns it into treasures.  She is talented in so many ways, and funny to boot.

My Thoughts, My Life -- Stephen is in one of my yahoo groups.  His art is beautiful, and he is also a collector.  And it is always nice to see a man blogging about art and life.

GOT ART -- I met Sherry on the cruise.  She is an extremely talented mixed media artist, and her blog is beautiful, well written, thoughtful and funny.

Penny Duncan Creations -- Penny is the list owner of one of my yahoo groups, and she's a computer wiz.  She creates and shares the most amazing files.  If you are into digital at all, have a Cricut or other cutting gizmo (you can tell I am not digital, right?), run to her blog!

Angie's Artful Life -- Angie is my true sister in art!  We are both on the PID design team and though we've never met and live in such very different places and lead very different lives, we have always clicked and we work so well together.  She is a cheerleader for all, encouraging and generous.  But that is not why I'm sending you to her blog.  She creates beautiful cards, wall hangings, jewelry....you name it!

Shelly, Stephen, Sherry, Penny and Angie....grab that award, post it on your blogs and then pass it on.

On to some art.   One of the cool things we all received on the cruise...in fact the very last gift we got as we left the farewell cocktail party...was a custom made stamp of our cruise logo.

After we returned from the cruise, Gloria, one of the ATT list moms, decided to host a new swap.  We are to create tags featuring this stamp.  We make 12 and get 4 back because the additional tags are going to go to the people who made the cruise the wonderful experience it was....Tim, Wendy, their assistants and the ScrapMap team.

I just finished mine a little while ago, and I'm pleased with the way they came out.

I sprayed my tags with Tim's recipe for mica powder spray, using perfect pearls, reinkers and water.  I stamped, distressed and inked them too.  My Day of the Dead skull is wearing a sombrero (the same one, in fact that I had on the Statue of Liberty for my cruise ATCs). 

The red ticket hanging with the idea-ology piece from the ball chain is one of the tickets Mario gave out with purchases on the cruise.  I wrote my information on the back and laminated them.  Shopping at the market place and the excitement of the give aways at the farewell party were such great memories, I thought adding the ticket was fun.

an artful voyage - club 300, a beautiful necklace, and more

About Club 300....I was seated at Table 300 for dinner.  I didn't know a soul, but I'm not shy, so I wasn't worried.  However, having been on many cruises I knew that the "wrong" people or the "wrong" waiter can go a long way to spoiling a cruise experience.
Well, the luck of the draw was with me.  We were a table full of friendly, lively, and FUNNY women, and we were also blessed with the very best waiter in Robert, and assistant in Jude.
We quickly became not a table, but a cohesive group, hence Club 300.  Stephanie from NJ is our president, and Andrea, also from NJ (yea! the east coast was represented well!), who was never without her camera, is our historian.  We also all have nicknames.  For some reason, I'm called Bronx.  Go figure.  LOL!

Stephanie, Me, Andrea and an interloper from another table behind us.  LOL!

Jude and Robert gave the BEST service and we always got extras without asking.

How could we not be a happy table with such a happy waiter?

The wait staff even provided entertainment.

These are the only table pictures I took????  I must have been too busy eating.  I have to go blog hopping and steal some more.

After dinner (remember, it's still Friday, October 16th), I raced to my cabin to change for Wendy's short class.  We used Tim's fragment charms and beautiful papers and bling to create necklaces.  I also added some idea-ology pieces in between the charms.  I really love this piece and plan to make more.

And now for something completely different.....here is Kathy who really believed in wearing her art.  In my first post about the cruise there's a picture of her at the hotel in L.A. showing off one of her altered shoes.  Here Kathy models an awesome grungepaper vest:

The voyage is almost over....sigh.....but there's still Tim's mega class and the farewell cocktail party.  So stay tuned.....

Great Blog and Giveaway

What an awesome giveaway I have just seen. You need to hurry over to http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/and see what she has for some lucky person. You only have until the end of this month so go there now!

Generosity

I have been thinking about this word ever since Tracy was sweet enough to pass on the Karma Award to me. A generous blogger shares ideas, doesn't look for fame or fortune. Some have the skills to post videos. Many offer generous giveaways in the form of contests or blog candy, or random drawings.

Is this the only way to be generous in the blogosphere? I think not, and though I love to share my ideas and often give my stuff away, I think I have been as guilty as many others in one very important area. Which is the reason for this posting. You know I normally just upload a photo of a project and give some information about how/why it was made and credit to the stamp company/collage image creator, etc. This kind of post is different for me, but I hope you will continue reading.

How can I be more generous? Every day I receive updates in my mailbox from feedblitz. Usually over 20 at a time. I scroll through quickly, read the posts and move on. Useful, a good time saver, but when I don't actually go to the blogs I miss the opportunity to show a truly generous and grateful spirit. I miss the chance to leave a comment.

I am not speaking for everyone, but talking to other bloggers I know I speak for many when I say how much comments mean to us. It makes us feel like we're not talking to ourselves (not always a bad thing; I do it all the time), and that we have, however briefly, touched someone out there.

How many times have I read an amazing blog post and did not take the time to let that blogger know it was amazing to me?

I know, I know, you're busy. We all are. But my vow is to improve myself on this score. If something I read informs me, touches me, tickles me, inspires me, even annoys me, it's all good. It means it made me think and/or feel. So I will acknowledge that posting with a comment. I will take the time. I will let someone know I value what was written. I will let someone know someone was out there listening.

How about you?