The Spoonjar Chronicles

Block Party Quilt-a-Long

I'm in.  I have been working with fabric the last few months and am feeling like I am back to my first love.  I have not abandoned making books or playing with paper, but there is something so tactile about fabric.  I am working to remember all my sewing skills.  Seems like I have forgotten more than I remember.  That is why I decided to look for a quilt group online.  I found this: Block Party Quilting.

Check it out for a give-a-way!

Happy Sewing!

Making Icon Images for ART Journals

Here is the process I am working on today.  I am taking an online art journal class.  The idea is to make marks, images, designs from icons, or as the teacher calls them, motifs.  I struggled, as usual, to find something that spoke to me.  Hmmmm.  Fingers tapping, tapping.  I tried a few trite images, but that didn't feel right.  (funny how something so visual NEEDS to feel right)  Off the the closet to find those OOOOOOOOOld photos of my dad.  I didn't have anything specific in mind when I began to look, but here is what I ended up with.

My dad is wearing the mean face-so tough, #20.  Next I used Photoshop to extract him.  I used the Lasso tool to make a quick loop around him. Next, I used the magnetic Lasso tool to go carefully around his edges. From Select, at the top menu bar hit Inverse, then delete and viola', you have just the selection.  (see the dotted lines)

Next,  I wanted to make him black and white.  From the menu bar I clicked Image, then Adjustments. I needed him to be black and white because I am going to Kinkos to make some toner copies of him for photo transfers with gel medium.   From the drop down menu I went to Threshold and adjusted the slider bars till I got this:

Ok...so you are asking WHY.  Here is what I am playing with.  (The exciting part.) 

Here is the contact information for the class where I am learning the technique.  Art Journaling 102

What feels so good and exciting about this process is combining so many methods and techniques that I have work at over the past few years.  I am so glad that I have the Photoshop skills necessary to do this.  What is difficult is allowing myself to take the time to play, explore and discover.   Hmmm, I think that is another post, yet to come.

Photos, Photoshop, Paint, Printers...lovin' my Epson today

    I am jumping up and down for joy.  Here's why:

 

 

    I took this photo over a year ago.  I loved it from the minute I saw it on my computer.  I played with it a bit since the color was very dark.  I got out my Epson manual and started playing with settings, trying to figure out how to print on larger pieces of paper. I had some watercolor paper and cut it to 14 by 22.  Oh my.  It took some fiddlin' and a call to Epson, but it worked!  It is gorgEous.  I added some painting highlights, viola!

Paralysis of Possibilities

    How many art books do you have?  I have quite a collection.  I cannot resist books.  They inspire me and give me artistic hope.  I can map my artistic journey based on the books on my studio shelves.  At the beginning of my journey there were watercolor books, which then gave way to drawing and perspective books, which gave way to books on journaling, which then made a path for photography and Photoshop instruction books, which gave way to  instruction on artists books, which led me to books on calligraphy and mark-making and collage, and always, always there have been books inspiring me to play with fabric. 

    When I stop by blogs with photos of the author's studios, I always notice the books.  I feel better knowing that I am not the only one with the obsession for the written word and glossy photos.  Piles of books and magazines seem to be a common element of most studios. 

    My dilemma, is the Paralysis of Possibility, translated: too many choices, too many decisions to make, too difficult to focus on one choice when there are so many good choices.  I use what little and precious time I have perusing my choices.  This is not a good thing. 

Books are but waste paper unless we spend
in action the wisdom we get from thought.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton

That is a good book which
is opened with expectation, and
closed with delight and profit.
A. Bronson Alcott

Books are the quietest and most constant
of friends and the most patient of teachers.
Charles W. Eliot

and finally...

If I have a little money I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

Erasmus

   

 

           

    I did not go to school to study art, rather I fed the left side of my brain during college.  I justify my art instruction books as my "degree in art."  When I am working with the left side of my brain, (my day job) I do not digress or travel far from the objective; linear, practical, clear objectives and goals.  Done...Fini!    The creative process is much more difficult for me.

    My resolution is to put a moratorium on buying books. (maybe even looking at them)  My next resolution is to pick ONE thing...decide my intention and go with that intention ONLY.  You can't imagine how difficult that is for me.  When I begin a project I say I am in the "gathering" phase.  Gathering ideas and materials.  This takes me as long or longer than the project itself because I go down so many paths until I am simply sick of myself and jump on one idea.    Perhaps I should rid my studio of all books and look inside myself for the answers I am looking for. Naw, that's NOT going to happen!

Procrastination and INTERNETINATION

Internetination...my new word for what happens when you sit down at the computer to blog and first...you just check a few of YOUR favorite blogs...you know, just to see what is going on in Blogland.  Whoops, all of a sudden, ahem, 45 minutes later, you are still owwwwing and ahhhhing over what all of the world has to offer.  Ah, the grass is definitely greener in Blogland. 

The Rabbit Path

     I am torn between playing with Photoshop and actually working with fabric.  I am definitely going to do both.  Problem is...and this is a big problem.  There is NEVER, never, never enough time.  It does not matter how carefully I set up my day, make my plans, organize and execute...somehow the days go off down the Rabbit Path.  Today the Rabbit Paths were phone calls from friends.  Happy phone calls, and not so happy ones.  Both types were welcomed and necessary.  Isn't that the priority in life?  Our relationships have to take precedence. Yet, I have so many valuable relationships that my free time is gone by the time I want to, hope to - create art.  I really don't see how artists get so much done.  I am thinking that they stay up all night when the house is quiet and the phone is not ringing.  Unfortunately for me, I am a woman of a "certain age" that can no longer stay up until the wee hours.  I really never was one to do that, but at least when I was younger and stayed up very late, I could then sleep late and catch up.  I no longer sleep in.  Ironic, that when I was young I thought I  would catch up on my sleep when the kids were  older.  My mind and body won't let me sleep much anymore.  I rise often at 5 am, so when the evening rolls around I am not good for much.   

    How do you handle all the distractions that life has to bring?  What do you do when you find yourself on the Rabbit Path? I am much better than I used to be; both about not getting on the Rabbit Path AND not being so upset when I am there.  I have learned to live more intentionally.  I have learned how set goals.  I have learned how to give myself permission to play and to NOT feel guilty.    Honestly, many days I DO turn my phone off.  

    My life is so full of good and wonderful things...I am not complaining, just wondering how others manage.  It feels to me that others get more done than I do.  I imagine that is a myth...but one that feels very real.   I read about the Life Balance Wheel.  It is simply a pie chart that SHOULD be divided up into equal sections:

Work, Play, Self Care, Spiritual, Service, Family and  Romance.

     The pieces of the "pie" are "supposed"  to be equal.  Gosh, that is just near impossible for me.  I need balance.  There are times when I want my pie to be 50% creating art.  Not ALL the time, just enough time so I can actually create and finish a project.  So I really need an attitude check.

    I did take a bit of time over the weekend to make this:

I found this wonderful website that has some really nice tutorials.  Which just plain speaks of  G - R - A - C - E.  It is so wonderful and kind that someone would choose to share like this. (and these acts of kindness are what I love about blogging)  If you are into learning photoshop check this out.  I am not so much into all the scrap bookish embellishments.  However, I do love learning new techniques.  This particular photo was split into frames very easily with an action that you can get for FREE here.  Amanda Taylor explains all this at her website/blog.  I think this photo transformation  is very slick and gives a very nice result.  A BIG THANK YOU-SHOUT OUT to Taylormade Designs.  This is what Amanda Taylor did with her  photo.

Photos and Photoshop

I love photoshop.

I love it because it helps me make better pictures.

I love it because it takes something rather ordinary and can make it a bit fun and funky.

Here is what I mean:

      Sure, it would be cute with just these young gorgeous girls...but I think it is so much more fun AND  interesting with a little Andy (that's Warhol) thrown in. 

     I know some photographic aficionados gringe at the word Photoshop.  A professional photographer once told me: "If you take it right the first time, you don't need Photoshop."  Hmpf!  Well, I ain't ever gonna get it right the first time...and if by chance I do, well, that itself was probably a mistake.  What do you think of this one:

        I love this one.  The girls took the bride-to-be out for a fun evening.  Everyone dressed in black, except the bride.  I played that idea up.  Of course with Photoshop there are layers.  And with layers, you can do creative things like ERASE one layer so the color shows through.  Love that!

Comments, comentarios, commentaires

     Yes, I am out and about on the World Wide Web. I am surfing and leaving comments...here and  here and here.  Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah..I'm not a lurker!  These are great artsy sites, so check them out.  You can learn stuff, buy stuff, and drool over all the pretties.

     Blog housekeeping.  I need help.  Serious help. I have a Help Ticket at Typepad that is coming up to three or four pages.  It CAN'T, CANNOT, possibly be so complicated...is it?  See over there on the right...under my picture...the title: "the spoon jar story?"  All I want is for those words to link to the first post I ever did...the story of the Spoon Jar.  How do I make that a link?  If you can help me-I will pay you, I swear.  Whenever I ask for help from Typepad, all I get is a link to some article. (edit-ok...so Typepad came through and there is now an active link-they wrote the code for me...such Grace is EVERY WHERE-didn't I tell ya)  I need someone to walk me through it.  The directions assume you know where to put the urls and so forth.  I just want to add a Typelist with some links, some photos.  I see this all the time on other Typepad blogs.  Does anyone know a live person who can assist me with this?

     I am enjoying blogging, but still am enjoying more what everyone else has to say and show.  I am not sure my sharing is up to speed yet.  It will take me a while to get enough material  together.  I am working on a few projects, but am so darn behind in everything and everyway from the holidays.  Soon.  Soon I will be back to normal.  

     Just so you know I having been enjoying the holidays, completely...

 

Be The Change...

Comments!  I got my first comment on my blog.  Yea!  So I was thinking about why I started my blog...to give back something in a small form of recompense for all that I have benefited from others blogs.

I am sloooooooooooow.  I admit it.   I took and did not give back.  I lurked and did not comment.  The full affect of that was not felt until I got my own little piece of blog real estate.  I write, link, upload and post and do not get comments. Hmmmmm.

So, it is kinda like talking to yourself.  I finally figured it out.  I need to invite others into the conversation.  I have been totally guilty of not leaving posts on other blogs, even when I was the recipient of something wonderful, spectacular and totally worthy.  Why?  I figured no one really cared that I visited their blog.  I figured no one would really know.  I figured no one would read my comment. I was wrong.  I see that clearly now.  As much as I love seeing my blog published and on the WORLD WIDE WEB, I love even more seeing that someone stopped by.  I love even more if someone comments on something they read or saw on my blog. 

My plan is to go out into blogland and begin to leave comments.  Not JUST so I will get comments, but because I fully understand now how this works.  That we bless each other and show grace when we connect with the heart and message of another's blog.  Someone DOES  want my comment, somone DOES  read my comment.

My hope is that just as others came to my grandmother's home to sit over a cup of coffee and share (see the story of the Spoon Jar)...you can come and sit here a spell and share.  I promise to offer you all the grace you need.

Christmas Card Faux Pas

    It truly is a wonder that anyone sends a holiday letter these days, what - with all the mocking and ridicule they have come under.  As much as the Christmas letter ITSELF was a tradition, now the intense scrutiny of said letters is the NEW tradition.  I have heard a mere half dozen or so radio shows spotlighting crazy Christmas letters.  Truly,  I roll on the floor laughing at what people find worthy to share in a Christmas letter.  I have received a few of these letters myself.  I save them for when the whole family is together to read them out loud.  I love them.  I love catching up on the lives of those dear to me.  However, occasionally I too, love to laugh at some of them.  Especially the medical ones and the oozing braggy ones.  Only once did I succumb to the writing of a Christmas letter.  Oh, let's just say it was a moment of total insanity.  I had a new Mac.  I had some new, cool software program that did all kinds of graphics.  I had a new digital camera.  I had the time.  So, off I went into Christmas letter writing mode. (in hind sight, I believe I was avoiding something, but can't recall now what it was; that is always what I do when I am avoiding...start some OTHER project)   All I can say now, 3 years later, is: WHAT WAS I THINKING?  At the time I was very aware of the no, no, nos:

• No bragging:  check
• No stories of illness:   check
• No writing in the 3rd person:   check
• No political talk, no religious talk:  check, check
• No long dialog of vacations:  check
• No Pet News:  uh, uh, uh,  yea, forgot that one
• No longer than 1 page:  urrrr, forgot that one too

      Wellllllllllllll, I had a new camera and LOTS of photos to share.  I wrote the epic of all Christmas Letters.  The good news is, I must have made many recipients bust a gut laughing.  And if I was able to spread some holiday cheer, even at my expense, so be it!  I learned my lesson and am sharing that lesson with you now. 

PS.  Even this many years later, I think warm thoughts of that letter.  I believe if we all feel fondly of our lives, we are so graced and of course we want to share.  Isn't blogging just one big Christmas letter...?  (exhibit one below...page one of 5.  Uhmm, 5 is NOT a typo)