Well besides the MAC class and finishing the 1920's book..I did some painting...I do have a shop..which I seem to forget until its almost empty..so I took the old blue bench I had on the porch and painted it red...still needs to be distressed...but took some pictures of mom

helping out!!

also caught mom reading an Easter card from my brother Ken...probably really sent by my sister-in-law..carolyn..either way..Mom loved it!!!

and I added a couple more pictures of the 1920's book..case you still trying to find the embellishments from the previous post!!

And I wanted to update you on the last book..the clock book. Well I got a battery for the small

clock face..but...when I went to remove the clock to take it to the store...I discovered my design of how to keep the clock fastened..yet able to be removed for future batteries, didn't quite work...pulling the clock..off ...well..took 1/2 the paper with it!!! soooooooo

had to do some serious repairs since the paper is held down with some major METAL binding...

so its in the repair shop!! BUT....lucky for me...it can be repaired without removing the entire front page...

what I find interesting about these 4 books..and the papers chosen..is what my original thoughts were for the embellishments...did not at all..show off the theme..or paper...or I just didn't like them...and the paper I thought would be the hardest to embellish due to either so much activity on the paper..or little activity on the paper..turned out in my estimation to be the most 'eye catching'...and most fun...the clock which I really liked the ideas I had...turned out to be the one I am least satisfied with...and felt I should have been able to do more with...the fact you can

use the clock..its real..and removable..was probably the only hi-light of the embellish features.. althought the metal trim is really sharp.....maybe doing 4 was too much..not sure...any excuse is ok...but not acceptable...but..I am sure those receiving the journals will enjoy them!

And since the clock book is in the repair shop...its not really finished...so...no pictures...and who knows if the repair shop can make some other repairs..we will see......

Well I took MAC class today on how to organize pictures..lets see if I can remember anything!!

The 1920's book had a lot going on the paper itself..but I still found some areas to embellish and high light...like the pearl on her bathing suit...wait...I won't tell...we can play a game and see how many you can find!!! ( and I will have to go back and count them..ha) A clue...one of the embellishments I found at the stamp convention..thats it.

one detail I forgot..and i will add it..is a label on the Bathing Beauties! ( which will be.." bathing beauties'. that was really creative right?!!!

I think these pictures don't really do the book justice since you can"t see the spine and some of the ribbon embellishments but I ended up really enjoying the challenge...and the journal is a hard cover large black journal and not a composition book...that alone makes the journal seem

more solid...

so thank you for your support on these projects for Phx Childrens Hospital!!!

Enjoy.

wax canvas crown

As mentioned in my email...here is the picture of the wax crown class. We can consider

taking this class as one of our wed night meetings...the wax on this canvas is soooo

smooth...great teacher!

bird book pictures

ok. here are the pictures!!! too many interruptions around here...sorry!

bird book

And here is the bird book. I really just could not decide on a bird for the focal point of the book..I tried a stamp, a ghost , a glass bird..and finally cut out a bird from canvas. I painted him blue..and decided to try my encaustic wax to shine him up ( has resin in it)..but he did not shine!!! however, I added the small clothes pin for his legs and the feathers etc...but check out the ribbon on the side, which I purchased from Paper Studio when they were clearing out stuff....its beautiful ribbon...and then had to decide on the ribbon closure and found this 'outdoor' theme, which I had..actually I had everything.

I found the back cover paper at scrapbooks etc..at the last minute..another ' cannot decide' day...and held the ribbon with more feathers. It really came out nice because I had to keep reminding myself NOT to us store bought embellishments, especially for the front cover. I like to keep the books "artsy' and try to include some kind of technique or special FIND embellishments...heaven knows I have many and the idea here..is to use them!!

I had decided these would be my last 4 books for a while ( still working on the clock etc) but found myself enjoying the last few days..with embellishing etc...so I will probably do more, except I want to do another box first.

Its interesting to me because I start out not knowing for sure, exactly how I will put these books together, and when I think I have a good idea...70% of it changes by the time I am finished, which is what makes it so challenging and fun.

I have little time in the studio...with mom here. You would think i would have more time, but she calls my name 100 times a day..forgets she called me..or will say ' oh judy how nice of you to stop, i love this house, lets buy it and live together'. ok. Sometimes I can just let her call me, but sometimes I have to respond or she will say ' isn't anyone living here except me?"

I listened to the Oprah show yesterday with Rachel Welsh on ' aging'. Rachel admitted it took her 3 hours to " fix the face" . never guessed..she is beautiful. but Oprah showed 4 other older ladies from 52 to 94..for their secrets! sure, they exercise etc..but I said ( to the tv) this is all possible...if you don't get demenshia~!!! You can eat right, exercise ..whatever...but demenshia is something you cannot control..and never know if you will get it...and no way to undo it... and it ends...just about your whole life....so these 4 are lucky!!!

so...I run when mom calls. its about all she has..is to find someone who is there to talk to..or answer her confused questions!!

But the studio will be there...some other things won't...and I am still having fun in there, just not as much time to devote....

Anxious for our next mixedmedia night and then after that i will deliver the books to Phx Childrens Hospital!!! cheers!

two books finished

well I promised you the AFTER on the books. I have finished the cherry and bird. The cherry was getting the best of me. Why cherry paper. Then I found this recipe book in the shape of a jar..with cherries on it...no, actually sandy found it! 1.00 and it changed my whole vision of the front cover..which i thought was boring with just cherries. And the green ribbon was perfect color...tried everything from polka dots to red...just shows...you know you have it..when you have it!!! I wrote some cute sayings inside..since this is a journal..' memories etc'. Actually this was a recipe book, I just put it upside down..so pages are blank..and ran the ribbon thru the back and thru the back of the inside cover to hold it This way, when the book is removed, you can tie the ribbon into a bow, and the cover will still have some creative features..rather then blank page. This was better then using a temp glue etc...and I liked the red bow...

The inside of this book cover actually HAD a folder..so I slipped some cards inside...with a string attached so the new owner would find them! all in all..this paper or theme, turned out to be more fun that I originally thought it would be!!!!

And yes, there is a picture of mom and Loeke...just relaxing in bed..waiting for toast and coffee!! Mom doesn't hurry in the morning...gives me time also to write in my Artist Journal.......

I have found a wonderful CNA to take care of mom over the Easter Holiday...so john and I can get away for a holiday...

For all my blog readers ...Have a great Easter Holiday....!!

Kids at Botanical Garden

Took the grandsons to Botanical Gardens while on spring break.

Best membership I ever purchased...the whole family got in free.....and we had a great time!

...here is a sample of the fun we had!!!!

GOURMET CHEF..FOR HIRE...NANA'S BIG DAY

Busy busy. My friend..the chef...cheryl came and fixed john and I a gourmet dinner!! I guess we looked like we have not had time to eat...but actually we just pretend so she will feel sorry for us..and come and cook...and looking at the pictures you can see its not JUST cooking!!!

And..the week also brought my cousin Terry and his wife Karen from Ohio to visit their Aunt Mollie!! Mom has always been a favorite aunt to everyone...and it was great with such little time..that they stopped to see her!! It was early..so mom was still under the covers..but she

said ' oh I am so happy to see you'...so it was worth it!!

With all that I have not worked on the books much, but am showing you a picture of the clock book..with a REAL Timex..attached. I have attached it with the ribbons so it is removable to change the battery. Many hospital patients don't wear watches...or have clocks in their rooms...so I thought they would enjoy, while they are writing in their journals..to make note of the time! whatever.

I am sure all my media arties..( not sure where that came from)..have been having fun all week...I congratulate you on whatever you have created...just because I know being inspired makes the creates a perfect day!

and...nana also has some LITTLE visitors! On spring break...they decided to come to Grammie's..make popcorn..eat whatever they could find, and give nana a hug!

p.s. and my daughter-in-law, Geri, showed me how to scan..and download to my blog! So everyone had a great great visit!!!

Well kids came over..its spring break. So..here are the Stih Boys!

Nathaniel, Nikolai and Brandon.....Nates the oldes, Nik is 8 and Brandon is 6..going on 16.

They came to visit Nana while on spring break..and we made hot chocolate and popcorn. A good lunch dont' you think..or snack...

I have also attached the Wing and a PRAYER...that Kim found. Imagine. Mom would say this all the time...which is why I named my blog A wing and a PEAR. And...Kim found the prayer!!!

Good eye kim!!

Added a few embellishments to my books..but not ready to show yet...so just thought I would update the blog....

More later.........

well I promised you sandy's picture..with her hat from Hats to DYE for..the class she took at AU..her first class...and now she is planning 2010..with so many to choose from..but..she is going back!! So you will meet her in August.

and...as this day goes...wow..does it spin!!!

I put mom outside in her chair..she loves it outside...but she calls me 20 times in 20 seconds...and so I run...for a while...then I let her call me because eventually something will catch her eye and she will forget she is calling me........but........today...after calling me and me not responding...she started yelling....FIRE FIRE FIRE. oh my gosh..I was only 20 feet away in the kitchen..I ran outside...no fire. nothing. I think the neighbors spotlights that were on in their back year because they are gone..looked bright.

But...even tho I told her no fire..and went back inside..it was 30 seconds and she started screaming, judy, fire...judy, fire! well..i can only imagine what the neighbors thought!!!

so..that ended mollies nice relaxing afternoon in her chair..not sure if she was relaxed...I mean there was a fire....in her mind.

When I started to take her in..she said ' oh judy thank you for saving me, but what about everyone else.'" I said not to worry everyone got out ok!!

So..thats my excitement for the day....best I can do!!!!

Not sure about tomorrow but hopefully the spotlights will be turned off!!!! There is a big wall..and the house is NOT that close..but somehow she saw the glare or something!

So now I am taking her back with me to the studio...to finish some of the books! Hope to have 2 of them on the blog by end of the week!!!

cards from sandy

Sunday Sunday. Well after playing UNO with friends..until late...I went to the mail box this morning and found this wonderful surprise..which I am sharing with you..well some of them...there are quite a few...

My friend sandy found a whole deck of these wonderful cards at the Scottsdale Boys and Girls Thrift shop..so if you have never stopped there..now you know..get down there!!!

So.she surprised me..and shared some of them..and I want to share them with you..so I picked 5...( was hard)..and so enjoy!!!

P.S. If you look back in my blog somewhere, you will see sandy with the hat she made at AU in the class Hats to DYE for!! If..this old aged mind..of mine...has forgotten to do that..I will go back on my next update..and include it. This was sandy's first class and she has been running with her new found friend ( art) ever since!!!

so enjoy!!

whoops. forgot to show you...the queen of coupons!!!!

Jan made me this crown. way too funny.

But anything that came from Micheals..or Joanns..or Aaron Bros...was done with a coupon.

I had friends all over..save me coupons, including the girls where john works!!

and...mom went thru the line many times with me..as did john. what a guy!

what a nice friend..thanks jan!!

TGIF. Not sure why...oh yeah, john is home..my helper!!

Well Wednesday is my day OUT..Nelli comes for mom from 12 to 7! So I rolled down the

windows on the car ..opened the sunroof and shouted WORLD HERE I COME!

WHERE TO? Mamogram..and tax man! can you believe..I am that excited..something wrong here. But..Wednesday night is also Mixed Media night..so i have attached some pictures of our show and tell. My friends are just sooo talented...and we have a new member ..Lena. Welcome Lena.

the pictures ( not sure which order cause sometimes..last mentioned becomes first shown..so Kim..has to re-educate me)...but they are of a couple new books I started. Decided to show you the BEFORE..and then later the AFter. Look closely at the clock book front cover..I started some embellishing..but not nearly done...the 20's..paper..is really going to be fun to embellish..so again..this is just the BEFORE. And..can't forget mom...drinking coffee ( well i told her it was coffee but it was chicken noodle soup). Mom loves coffee but not good for her...and noodle soup is.!

She told me today ' lets go for a ride...but remember, my car is full of dogs...I love dogs".

I said..Mom I am allergic to dogs so we can't go today...she says " well I can't find my keys anyway". I tell you...its actually fun talking to her..you have to find some fun in all this!

So enjoy the pictures of our talented group...and dont' forget..your welcome to join!!!

cheers.

loeke and mom

Good morning. its Monday. just finished my first book for Hospice. Then I will get back

to my books for Phx Childrens Hospital.

The dress on the front is made from a Hankie!! No idea where I found this...and the earing on the back cover was mom's....I also put some pretty post cards in an envelope on the front and back...

and..thats Loeke moms cat. Mom doesn't sleep in..but this morning Loeke decided to keep mom company until I got her dressed etc....

But the week end went fast. Our Mixed media group is meeting next week at Jerry's Artarama and..would you believe jerry's is having a 20% off sale for the whole store that day!!!

these are dangerous times!! But Fun!

Good Morning. Yesterday was my Artist Date ( for those of you who have read The Artist Way) and I went to the movies and saw The Ghostwriter...great movie. Since reading the Artist Way I am more aware of all the artistic talent around me..including scriptwriters!!

So now back to the Pear Box. For some reason, I found a pear, in my studio and a pear stamp and decided to make a pear box...no idea who will want a pear box...but thought I would show you where I am with this..and any suggestions are welcomed!!!

I have a pear mold..and some opals ..so you can see my opal pear! I love purple and green and the ribbon I found in Taos, New Mexico was beautiful ( as you can see) but i copied it onto Can-Van and am using it as the side borders.

I found an old frame..so I have decided to frame my opal pear for the top of the box..and I painted the stamped pears for the inside cover.

thats it so far!! oh yeah, I lined it in green silk fabric that my friend Sandy gave me...

so I will let you know how this progresses...and if you have someone who loves Pear Boxes..let me know!!!

Thought you would enjoy meeting some artists from our Mixed Media Art Group here in Arizona ..we meet the 2nd week of each month..the pictures are of some of our exchange gifts.

The mask was embellished with foils etc by Carol who is standing next to Jan the recepient..and thats Sherry with the Brush painted on canvas...Check out all the embellishments.... FLOWING from the brush.. so creative.. from Jen...now that should inspire you to get into your own studios!!! And can you imagine the hours it took for Carol to cover the mask..another great creative idea....

we all met at AU..and have continued our group for a couple years now...each month we take a turn sharing a technique with the group...If you are near Tempe, Phoenix or Mesa Arizona..come and join us!!!

Yeah its Friday!! The Stamp convention is this week end..and I am picking up an order from AM Stamps..which I can't wait to get!!!!

We had to give in and get mom a hospital bed only because you can raise and lower it and its easier to get her out..or bed down to help her...another step in this journey. mom says ' oh I have a new bed, how pretty'. She seems to be taking this journey better then I am at times!

I am posting a picture i took in Sante Fe at the Spanish Festival. This artist is Darlene Olivia

McElroy. She entered the Contemporary Contest and this is one of her collages. She is teaching two classes at AU this summer so i thought you would like to see her work..AND..she has a book out ..Image Tranfers. I am doing each and every one...and writing to her with the results! fun!

enjoy!