ACEO-X (3.0) Submissions

Time's up for ACEO-X (3.0) - all the tiny works of art should be in the mail, flying to their new owner. Which one is on its way to you?

*Sorry guys - I meant to get this posted yesterday but I was still waiting on one last photo. An extra thanks to those participants who made it in well before the deadline - I really appreciate it!

*No wordless wednesday today - just some great ACEOs to scroll through!

1. Kate of scientificculture:2. Leslie:

3. Deana of bellacosaart:

4. Kara of karalennox:5. Lindsay:

6. Rhonda of adventuresinart:

7. Gigi of spindriftstudio:8. Nicole of nikid:9. Donna of artbydonnarose:10. Melissa of catscradle:11. Ruby of missyandme:12. Deslynn of deslynnwdesigns:13. Jerise of jerise:

14. And I decided to submit my Asian goddess Guan Yin:

Again - thank you to everyone who participated in another successful round of ACEO-X!

Item of the day: Bath & Body Bar

I love handmade soap - I've tried some from many different sellers, Canadian & American. I can't say that I've found a favourite, as long as it's handmade it's good. One Canadian seller that I've tried & loved is carvelcountrysoaps. Great scents, awesome lather & long lasting - what more could you ask for?

Item of the day: Beaver Vase

This fun vase by paigerussell looks like it's been attacked by a capable beaver!

Mosaic Monday

Oh Canada!

1. Oh Canada, 2. Eh Oh, Canada Go!!!!!, 3. oh Canada, 4. ♥ Oh Canada ♥

Item of the day: Ohhh, Canada

Since Thursday is Canada Day, I'm going to be featuring Canadians this week. First up is this cheeky card by Bebbers - isn't he cute?

Item of the day: Pomegranates in a Bowl

I love this bright & cheery pomegranate print by jewishmodern.

So Lucky

Yesterday, I wanted to challenge myself - I've mentioned before how I've been inspired by Kelly Rae Robert's Taking Flight book & I wanted to take that inspiration & apply it to a mixed-media piece. Here's what I came up with:

If you've ever glanced at Kelly Rae's work, you can definitely see how I was influenced by her book. I combined a few of her techniques with what I hope is my own style. Can you see the resemblance between this girl & my goddesses?

One medium that I'm encouraged to play around with more is paint. In my collages, I tend to stick to pencil crayon & ink - I used that too in this piece, but I also incorporated some paint in the background & to make my figure, as the book shows.

I also used some graphite pencils, which really helped make the outlines pop.

When I was trying to decide on what theme or feeling to go with for this piece, I browsed through some old cards. I found quite a few from Pat & was feeling particularly loved after reading some of the sweet things he's written. So I decided to make this collage for him - and for me: as a reminder of just how lucky I am.

Indeed, "I am so lucky" kept playing through my head, so I wrote it on my girl's chest & collaged a heart over it. Then I noticed that Pat had written the same sentiment in one of his letters - which I highlighted.

So here was my process: after collaging the sentimental background, I sponged paint over top. I used doilies to get a neat pattern. Then I inked over all that. I used some gold & copper ink, so there's some shine to the piece. I sketched out the girl next & painted her in. Next came the finishing touches with graphite pencil, a few more collaged elements & a bit more ink & paint.

I'm really, really pleased with how it turned out. I realize the balance of the piece isn't perfect - there's a lot of empty space in the top left corner. I should have pushed my girl closer to center, but I didn't want her to have a crease from the collaged background in her face. Regardless, this piece definitely holds a special place in my heart & will have a place of honour on my shelf.

Item of the day: Teapots & Jugs

I mentioned yesterday how I won a shopping spree in South Africa (from the lovely rikrak) - so of course I've been browsing South African shops. I'm leaning towards these great tea towels by skinnylaminx.

Friday Five

I don't know about you, but I am so glad it's Friday!

1. I WON! I WON!!! I was blown away when I received a convo from one of my favourite bloggers (& Canadian too!), rikrakstudio, letting me know I had won the 2010 handmade world cup! I get to go shopping in South Africa - how awesome is that?
2. I finally retook that allergy skin test - and I reacted to histamine this time, as I was supposed to. But I didn't react to anything else - figured, I'm not allergic to much. Then I did a methacholine test to make sure I'm not asthmatic - I'm not. Again, no surprise there. So I'm considered normal (ha!) & am going to be giving blood & sputum for a study next week. Great....
3. I updated my blog template - blogger has a new design thing out so I wanted to try it. Plus, I was tired of those other dots - too busy. These ones are much more relaxing.
4. I made some red velvet cupcake to see what all the hype is about ... meh. They didn't turn out spectacular, so I definitely won't be repeating that recipe. I will be repeating this tandoori chicken recipe from Kayotic Kitchen though - it was delicious (Pat even asked that I make it again!).
5. I listed this pretty bracelet (I have a choker in these colours, just beautiful):

Item of the day: Oh Happy Day!

The first thing that always pops into my head when I first wake up on a Friday is "Oh happy day!" This sweet original painting by noodleandlou captures the sentiment perfectly.

Item of the day: Striped Rectangles

These funky epoxied earrings by TheApple are super awesome.

All of TheApple's jewelry is gorgeous really, but the candy drop jewelry & rings are particularly fun.

Wordless Wednesday

Item of the day: Shuttlepop Cuff

Today's item of the day is for me: inspiration for my fabric cuffs.

This green cuff by Hartlaub is stunning - I love the layered effect.

Things I've been working on..

Here's a little peek at a few things that have been on my craft desk this week.

First up - goddesses. I was in the mood for ACEO making yesterday, so I made 3. Above is Bia, Greek goddess of force & compulsion. She's my favourite & the first goddess of my series with her back turned to the audience.

This is Saraswati, Indian goddess of speech & wisdom. She originally started out with her mouth closed, but as I continued constructing her, it was clear she was trying to say something. A little research made it obvious who she was meant to be.

Finally, here's the 3rd Goddess ACEO I made yesterday. I haven't named her yet - she seems Asian to me, but I can't seem to find the perfectly suited deity. Perhaps Kwan Yin, goddess of mercy & compassion...?

I've also been working on paper flowers this week.

After receiving some positive comments on the blue one in my Wordless Wednesday last week, I decided to make a few more. The blue one was constructed quite some time ago - I was just never all that happy with how it turned out, so I slapped a magnet on the back & forgot about it.
These ones turned out much better with their uniform petal shape. They're a great way to use up scraps of paper. I'm thinking of putting them in my paper shop ... I'm just not sure what you could do with them besides a magnet...? Any ideas?

Fabric cuffs have been on my mind for ages. I'm not sure why I kept putting it off, it took no time at all:

I'm quite pleased with how it turned out - I've been wearing it almost non-stop for a week now. The inside is a patchwork of scraps of 4 different fabrics - I originally wanted it to be reversible, but I had some difficulties with the buttonhole / sizing. So I'll be practicing a bit more before I offer these in my sewing shop. If you'd like one of the practice ones (free!), let me know!

Item of the day: Petals Earrings

I love mixed-media artwork - & I especially appreciate it when jewelry artists incorporate non-standard materials in their work. Take MGMart for example & these gorgeous satin butterfly earrings:

Unusual & unique, they look incredibly delicate & feminine.

Mosaic Monday

Brocade.

1. GLORIOUS BETSY, Flamboyant Socialite Cuff With Victorian Vestment Bullion, Art Deco Floral Trim, Vintage Lace and Chinoiserie Brocade by SHEELA GOH, 2. nature's brocade, 3. Japanese Brocade, 4. Brocades

Item of the day: Tanita

I think this art doll by Harem6 is absolutely gorgeous! I love art dolls - they're definitely something I've been wanting to try my hands at...

Item of the day: Meadowlark Dress

I love the delicate pattern on this linen dress by the Canadian shop LittleHouses.

Collections: ACEOs

Seeing as I'm hosting my ACEO swap right around now, I thought it was a good time to show you my own ACEO collection. Especially now that it's all organized into a binder (well, almost all - I still have a few on my walls).

So, from left to right, top to bottom:

• Alison in Snow by bluedogrose
• Rabbit Run by spindriftstudio (3D felt!)
• Golden Rabbit of Happiness by Belinda Hall (formerly of bellsakabin)
• Birds of Zen by johnniebelinda (metal paints!)
• Bunny Face by bellacosaart
• Early Bird by CeeVeeArts
• Encaustic Landscape by johnniebelinda
• Pears by bellacosaart
• Simple Flowers by bellacosaart

The backs are almost as beautiful:

Here's the second page:

Again, from left to right, top to bottom:

• Blue Leaves Whirlpool by H20works
• Interwoven Melody by H20works
• Da Vinci, Immortal by karalennox
• Simple Flowers by bellacosaart
• Living Tree Collection by ddots
• Starry Flight by ashliematt
• Horse by Belinda Hall (formerly of bellsakabin)
• Oak-y Dokey by scientificculture (from ACEO-X (2.0)!)
• Night Flight by jerise (this one has cut-outs so that the moth is transparent!)

Here's page 3:

• Spring Tree by TrickyBugPaperArt
• Hands by doodlage
• Winter Wonderland by TrickyBugPaperArt
• All Feathers & No Frock by bowling_belle
• Wednesday by EclatDesigns
• Kawaii Panda by hattie_heart
• The Journey by Barty2008
• Linden Trees by jerise
• Klimt by nayski

Page 4:

• Daisies by artbydonnarose
• The End by TheSecretNest
• Morning Lute by jerise
• Dia De Los Muertos by ... hmmm... dre...? That's what the signature looks like. I think I got it with one of my other ACEOs, but I can't remember now...
• Spring by nikid2
• Unicorn by Belinda Hall (formerly of bellsakabin)
• Linden Trees by jerise
• The Visitor by GrayArt

OK, last page (only 2 more landscapes):

• Bunnies by TheSecretNest
• Simple Flowers by bellacosaart

Now, that we're finished flipping through the binder, let's have a look around the apartment. I have 2 more by Jerise hanging on my wall beside my craft desk (Ocean 2 and Water Hose):Right above that hangs a magnetic board with this cute Baby Jackrabbit by tapestry316 (you can also see a sweet magnet by misseskwittys here):My craft desk has a magnetic whiteboard where I've pinned my first Goddess ACEO - Aphrodite - and Homegrown by GrayArt (the little house magnet is by thelittlereddoor).When I sit at my desk, there's a small space of wall right in front of me - I have these 2 ACEOs there (along with some Doodlage artwork & a wooden 7 I collaged):The top one is Trees by willowcatstudio & the bottom one is A Wooden House by wendy_kirk.

I also have The Bright Guys by Cheryl Schmidt on my fridge (again, this one was included with the purchase of something else, so I don't have any link...):And finally, I have FauxBois Tree by BrowningtonForest framed in my living room:Not too shabby a collection, if you ask me! I can't wait to add in the next one from ACEO-X!

Which one is your favourite?