Can you hear the crickets?

You know the sound of those crickets in the summertime happily making their little noises after it's completely silent? Yeah kind of like my blog has been, silent and quiet. Not much has been going on my little art world. Life is rapidly changing all around me and I haven't been feeling inspired at all. Insert cricket sound here. Well after much thought I am taking an art hiatus, as if you didn't know that by the silence right? I was trying to balance mommyhood and my art "career" and just can't at the moment. My sweet daughter is taking up most of my time and we're having fun together and strengthening our relationship on a daily basis. I've gotten more hugs and kisses and random "I love you"s than I ever have gotten from her. She needs me and I cherish this time together. Sales have been way down and I have to admit I'm a little discouraged. I see all my cool artsy friends moving on with their careers, writing books, holding classes and selling a ton, I have to admit I'm a little jealous but I'm not at that point right now. I'm happy for them all but wish I could be a part of that world right now. The timing isn't right and I know it will be at another time just not right now.

Life at home has been nutso I've been a decluttering fool and that includes my art supplies and mixed media stuff galore! Last night I made 5 mixed media grab bags full of goodies! I'm selling them on Etsy and they are chock full of stuff! Check them out if you need a boost in your stash and little extras!


I've decided to have a little giveaway on here as well. I made this piece for Valentine's Day but will give it away to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment on here and I will pick a random winner using random.org next Monday.

Thanks for reading! As I write this I'm reminded of this scripture:

Job 1:21 (KJV)

"21... Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Bad Girls Project 52, Challenge #3 Reveal!

The "Me" Box - I had to keep this project simple because I was on vacation and didn't have a lot of time to complete it. I wanted a piece that had little elements about me inside so it's really like a treasure box. The theme I chose to do about me was my love for Fall, Fall elements and it all just came together with that in mind.

This is me circa 1975 or 1976. I was a Fall baby! To this day Fall is my favorite season, especially in the Northeast. Fast forward many many years and you see my little mini-me Lorelei enjoying the leaves like I did around the same age!

Just taken last week in our front yard! My muse, my life, my Lorelei!

My "Me" Box (book)

My Nana's old amber pendant (I chose elements with meaning)

I carried on the Fall theme with the copper skeleton leaves

I have boxes of found objects so it was hard to choose items to use
which is why I chose Fall-like elements.

My favorite part are the buttons!

I have some comedic elements as well like "I grew up with fake legs in my house", my dad was a prosthetist orthotist and made fake arms and legs! LOL No joke!

My keepsakes which I'm sure I'll add to over the years.

My jeweled box to keep my precious elements.

Something I strive for is to always learn, create & grow.

My process:

I started out by gessoing the paper mache blank inside and out and then rubbed on various colors of distress ink. I picked a photo of me and framed it in fall ribbon. I knew I wanted to do a Fall theme because I LOVE Fall and I was born in the fall. Once I had the theme it just pulled itself together. I cut off the back of a vintage book cover and glued it on the base. I also distressed and gessoed that a bit as well. I then glued on my photo, canvas stickers, leaves, door plate and buttons. Let the glue dry overnight to make sure everything is secure. I then traced the elements with my sketch and wash pencil to bring them out a bit more. Next I glued the smaller paper mache box inside in the center. I stamped a leaf stamp with Brown Staz On Ink. I cut out a place in the top of the box to embed the green leaf pendant and secured that with glue and gold paper on the back of that. I distressed the smaller box as well. Then found my elements that meant a lot to me, created tags and attached them with white string. I chose items that were all about me, part of me and that meant a lot to me. Last but not least I glued on the skeleton leaves around the edge, glued on the pearls, glued on the large ribbon and attached an old amber pendant that was my Nana's to the bottom of the ribbon with copper wire and voila that is my treasure box!

Supplies: Paper Mache Blank (I chose a book shaped box); smaller paper mache box for the inside; found items (door plate, vintage book cover, items for inside); string; paper; vintage buttons; e6000 glue; ribbon; Christmas Tree Ornament (copper leaves that I tore apart); Copper skeleton leaves; copper wire; pencil; old earring or pendant for ribbon ornament; Ranger Distress Ink in purple, green and brown; Gesso; Tacky glue; photo printout; Gold Pearl Ex; Pitt Pens various colors; Generals Sketch & Wash pencil; freshwater pearls; white string; little tags I hand punched; tag punch;
jewelry pendant for inside box; scrapbook paper; canvas stickers; Brown Staz On Ink; Leaf Stamp

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Are you bad--- enough? You'll be asked to reach out of your box once again, as well as look deep inside!!!! One lucky random drawing winner for Challenge #3 will receive a $20 Gift Card to shop like a Bad Girl in the cherished Bad Girls Boutique! (We have decided to rotate prizes.) Sound intriguing? We give you the rules below- just 6 steps!

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

*Challenge 3 – Paper Mache Blank (any shape or subject, usually craft store item)

• Theme – Self-Portrait (about you, present/past/future, serious or fun, etc…)
• Required material – Found Objects (junk drawer stuff related to theme/story)

SIX RULES TO FOLLOW
TO WIN $20 GIFT CARD TO BAD GIRLS BOUTIQUE:

1. You must leave a comment here on this blog post with one word that describes YOU

2. You must incorporate a paper mache (papier-mâché) form (any shape or subject) in your project that is pre-made or that you make (allow overnight dry time between layers)

3. You must use the theme Self-Portrait (about you, present/past/future, serious or fun, etc…)

4. You must use Found Objects/Junk Drawer Stuff related to theme/story(such as trinkets/baubles/pieces/charms/hardware you find/collect or purchase at scrap/stamp stores, flea markets, etsy, antique, etc.)

5. Upload Your One Photo, yes, ONE Photo, of Your Project to Our Project 52 Gallery by November 21, Midnight Pacific Time (time zone converter) If you have additional photos, link to them in the description from either your blog or from photobucket.com

6. FINAL RULE: You must post a link to your project in the gallery before November 21st Midnight to our Challenge #3 thread in the forum - don't forget to do this!

10 Years and still going!

Dancing fools at our friend's wedding., originally uploaded by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign.

Today is our 10 year anniversary!! WOW! Never thought I'd be a stay-at-home working mom with a 2.5 year old 10 years ago!! We made it to a huge milestone!! For the most part it's been smooth and easy sailing and lots of fun along the way. Jason is my best friend and we love our life together!! So here's to you babe! I LOVE YOU and I'm looking forward to many, many more years to come!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

OXOXO

Spontaneous Getaway!

The Wheaton Kissy Face Pose - we're starting Lo early

Hi all,

Life has been very crazy for my family this past year and we decided we would try to go to Florida to visit with J's family and his visiting family from CA and TX. We looked up tickets to go and lo and behold (hear the heavenly choir singing?) we purchased tickets for $29 each way!! Our RT tickets were $60! INSANE!!! How could we resist at those prices! So we just got back from FL for a week vacation full of fun places, lots of swimming, family and friends!! I know I've been missing in action for quite some time but I hope this post will keep you coming back! I still haven't recouped from my Nana's passing, my art mojo seems to have left with her. I hope it comes back soon. I need my creativity, it's what has gotten me through the last rough year. I'm happy to say things at home are back to normal and we are all a happy family again and this vacation really showed that to me. We had a wonderful time down there and didn't want to come back to NY. Some of the highlights were, Downtown Disney, stay at a B & B in St. Pete overnight, Sea World, Butterfly Encounter and daily swimming!!! Lorelei got to play with her 2 cousins, aunties and uncles and friends. I can't wait to go back possibly in the Fall. Here are some photos of the trip! And please if you've seen my art mojo BRING IT BACK TO ME!!!!

Sea World waiting for the dolphins

Here they are!

La Veranda B & B in St. Pete - Great Place!!!

Lo and I feeding butterflies

Lots of hugs!

Christmas Giveaway!

Well it's that time of year again! Time to give and be with loved ones. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and STRESS that this time of year usually brings. A lot of times I have to remind myself not to get caught up in it otherwise I'd go nuts!! Like most families I am the one who comes up with gift ideas, I do the shopping and wrapping, I do the cards and mail them out. It can be super stressful but this post is not about STRESS it's about sharing with you!!

I would like you to tell me what the best gift you ever received was, be it something physical, emotional or an event. Just for doing that I am going to pick 2 winners with the random number generator to receive a set of 4 bookmarks. Make sure you tell me which set you would like if you win. You can choose between my Season's Speak set or my Bistro set. These you can keep for yourself or give in a stocking stuffer both are worth $10.

Season's Speak Set

Bistro Set

OK so I'll share with you my story. I think the best gift I ever received was when I found out my boyfriend (now husband of almost 10 yrs) Jason was going to follow me to NY. He went away to school when we were both living in FL, during this time I couldn't find work and my family had just moved back North to NY and I was starting to live on credit. It was getting bad!! I made the gut wrenching decision to move back to NY and I really didn't want to because all of my friends were in FL and I knew Jason would be coming back to FL after school was done. I didn't know if we could survive the distance since we had only been dating 4 months when he left. I was worried sick that it would be over and I knew by that time I had wanted to marry him. I got the phone call from him that he was going to move to NY so we could be together again and I was the happiest I had ever been. He came a few days just before Christmas and we've been together ever since!!! That was the best gift ever!!!!

Now it's your turn! Make sure you tell me how to contact you if you're not a blogger and also which set you would like!!!

Have fun!

Giveaway is open until Saturday at Noon! I will announce the winner then.

Aimée

This & That

Hold on tight!, originally uploaded by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign.

Well we had a wonderful weekend. We took Lorelei for her very first horse ride. He was a miniature horse named Willy and he was at our local orchard. We took her there to go on a wagon ride, get some cider donuts and apple cider and look at all the pumpkins. The horses were a bonus. She loved every minute of it. Such a brave kiddo at 20 months old.

Got some bad news this morning, my gym is closing at the end of the week. Now what? I was just getting into going again after we were all sick for a few weeks. Off to another gym, again. I was bummed. I was clueless to when I walked in even though everything was off the walls and it looked empty, duh! I wasn't awake it was 6 am.

Just joined Suzi Blu's class, Les Petites Dolls and so far I love it. I'm way behind everyone else but I really wanted to take it and was thrilled when I found out I could still! These are some of my sketches.

I'm also taking Paulette Insalls, Organic Dimensions Background class. I'm working on 2 canvases for that. I am totally loving that class as well! Trying out new techniques and I'm super excited as far as art goes.

So that's my update for now. Off to watch Heroes with the hubby!

Night all!

The simple things

April Cornell kiddo, originally uploaded by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign.

I'm just simply amazed by my sweet daughter Lorelei. She's my ultimate daily companion, my little mini me, my ham, my girlie girl, my dare devil, my little lover girl. She is my world. She is constantly WOWING me on a daily basis. OK so I am gushing about my kid, so what you know you all do it! ;) She is my joy and I just love how the littlest thing that would have never caught my attention ALWAYS catches hers and she stops to ponder and take it all in. I can't even walk 2 feet in my weed covered yard without her stopping to pick an "ow" (flower), even if it's a dead one. She sees a rock and it EXCITES her. She see's rainwater left over in the dogs bowl and wants to SPLASH! She seizes every moment! If anything she has taught me to enjoy the simple things every day. I need to stop and slow down and really see what is around me and take it all in and enjoy it. I need to be happy even if it's raining out or the house is dirty because I've been too busy playing with her or creating art. My ultimate job on this earth is to keep her happy, safe, LOVED ... ALWAYS. I write this as a reminder to myself and to others who need to hear to slow down and ENJOY the simple things.

This picture is so fitting for this post because she was thrilled to be sitting in this big cushy chair at April Cornell with her new bear and her always close companion Mr. Moose and a lemon cookie that they gave her. This is a moment of pure joy and probably my newest favorite shot of her!

What inspired this is this entry by Chrysti.

Take time to enjoy the simple things today.

OXOXOX

"Never Forget" - Memorial Holocaust Star

"Never Forget" - Memorial Holocaust Star, originally uploaded by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign.

I was honored to be a part of helping out some young boys and their mother. They decided to collect memorial stars from different people and artists to honor those who died at the hands of Hitler in WWII. I have always studied about the Jews and their plight during that time so this was near and dear to my heart. It took me quite some time to figure out what I was going to do but this came to me today and I'm sooo glad it did. You can read about their project more here.

I created it with canvas paper and acrylics, then glued it down to foam board and painted the sides. I coated it with a thin layer of beeswax and added a ribbon with glue on the back. See more in my Flickr photostream.

As for me I've been treading water lately. I have many projects that have been put on hold due to lack of time. It's summer time and my daughter is constantly on the move. She's so much fun and of course I can't resist taking her to the beach, taking her out for ice cream and all the fun summertime things you can do! She's a joy! She just turned 18 months today!! I can't believe it!! Anyways I'm sorry for not blogging sooner but life just got in the way. I'm not staying up all hours like I did before. I've started working out again at the local Curves. I used to work for a Curves and I couldn't even fathom working out at one ever again. The stupid "change stations now!" cue gets my blood boiling at times, but I can't argue with the results. I've been getting up and going at 6 am 5 days a week and it's paid off! In a month I'm down 3 inches and 3.25 pounds! I'm glad I decided to go back. It's 30 minutes to myself although I'm dead to the world when working out. I basically roll out of bed and go not a pretty sight I must say! But who cares it's for a good cause to get rid of the flab!!!!! I have a goal to shoot for too, my brother is getting married in February over in Holland and I don't want to be just another "fat" American going to Europe, I can't be!!! I refuse to fall under that category. So cheer me on and kick me in the butt if I start slacking!!! ;)

Look for new art once I get caught up with the commissions I have going. I'll be sure to post it here. Well it's way past my bed time now at 10:48:44 sec. I should catch some zzzzz's. Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

TTFN,

Aimée

Why when you try to make your life easier it gets harder?????

Whatcha think?, originally uploaded by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign.

UGH!!! That's what I felt like today! I LOVE being a WAHM (work at home mom) for those of you who don't know that term. I LOVE being able to spend time with my daughter and watch her grow.

What I DON'T love is not being able to just get up and go without having to pack everything but the kitchen sink before I even get into the car. This is what brings me to my point.

I am trying to make things simpler for me around here. I don't have the time to make multiple or even 1 trip to the post office with Lo, when I need to go or am ready to go she's usually napping so I usually wait until my husband J gets home. So I sent away for the biz kit from the post office to make my life a little easier. If I could print labels from home on my Mac and just place those precious packages outside on my door step the magical mail man will just whisk them away and I can continue on my day, right?

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!! I was sooooo utterly pissed today at my stupid mailman, I so lovingly put together a Father's Day gift for my FIL in Florida and it was going to be late by like a day but still that's not the point. Anyhoo, I was all excited thinking I had it all set up. I spent awhile yesterday downloading the right software, purchasing the labels and such and I was sooo proud and excited that my life was about to get simpler. Well I hear the mail man drop the mail in my box then the door bell rang, I was on the phone. By the time I got to the door which was about a minute if that I noticed he was at the end of my driveway. I looked down and the darn box was still there!!!! UGH!!! What's the point of ringing my doorbell if you're going to walk away! HELLOOO!!!!! So I sat fuming about it most of the day. Which .....

Got me thinking how I'm sooo annoyed with the fact that my life isn't easy anymore!! Don't get me wrong, I'm completely and madly in love with my daughter Lorelei, it's just all the other stuff that comes along with being a parent, for instance my completely trashed house! I feel like I'm treading water people!!!!!! It's a wonder I find time to create. So anyways that's my rave today and I'm still pissed at the mailman! Now I'm curious if he'll take one of my prints that needs to be mailed out.

Needless to say my sweet hubby took the box to the post office for me.

UGH!!!!!

Sorry in blogland

Well things have been super busy lately and I've managed to neglect my blog. Sorry blog, sorry bloggers! Don't feel bad I've neglected my art journal too! Things are calming down a bit. I do have some good news, I will be displaying my art at a local restaurant here called The Great Adirondack Soup Company. My art will be displayed for a month and half which is cool. Just gotta buy some frames to hang it all up. I'll take a shot of it when it's all up for you. I've also got my big butt back into the gym! Lo is almost a year and I still haven't lost this baby weight! I'm back on WW again too. So wish me luck with all these crazy new things going on!! I promise to not neglect my little art blog! :)

HUGS!

Haven't done much lately.

I had a dear friend pass away this weekend and I haven't exactly been in a creative mood since. I did do her funeral boards and a DVD of a collection of photos for the family but that's it creatively. I'm hoping to get out of my slump this weekend. We are in the middle of some major house projects as well. Our entire front yard is dug up and the dirt needs to be put back in it's original home. We had a main water line leak and had to rent a back hoe for the day to dig to find the leak, fun fun! The hard part is over so hopefully things will begin to calm down. I've also had a great friend visiting for a few weeks so I've been enjoying her company as well, she leaves tomorrow :( I'll miss her tons!!!! I'm hoping things calm down a bit, Lorelei is getting more active by the day so free time is harder to come by but I'm enjoying every minute of it! She'll be 9 mos. next week! I can't believe it!! OK that's my little blurb for now.

OH BTW, I'm having a Pampered Chef party next week and if anyone is interested I have a link that you can buy from for my show. Just email me and let me know if you want in!

Thanks!

Til later