Blog - Page 26 of 52 - Linda Nelson

WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE STATEMENT PIECE?

February 12, 2016

I don’t really “decorate” my home for Valentine’s Day. I generally don’t decorate myself with jewelry either, though I own quite a collection, many of which are lovely costume pieces. I just prefer to hoard and possess them rather than wear them. When I do adorn myself with baubles, however, I’m usually inclined to choose one piece as a signature statement, and the showiness of that piece is dictated by my mood at that time.
When I’m feeling fabulously bold, I might choose this chunky attention getter…….. I’m totally serious. My sister used it as a Halloween costume prop years ago, then passed it on to me with the suggestion that I may want to disassemble it for crafting purposes. Little did she know that I thought it was fantastic just the way it was and that I’d enjoy it crafted around my neck.

©Linda Nelson 2016

When I want to feel like a princess, I might fetch this piece.

©Linda Nelson 2016

My signature winter holiday statement piece is almost always a snowflake brooch.

©Linda Nelson 2016

My absolute favorite go-to ring is this one, a Christmas gift I received from my aunt and uncle about FORTY years ago. I wear it when I am feeling “moody”.

linda nelson at the createaerie

©Linda Nelson 2016

And, when I simply want to step into a bygone era, I might pair a classic vintage pin atop one of my vintage hats, along with one of my vintage handbags.

©Linda Nelson 2016

So, I thought it befitting that I would make one (or two) signature statements in my home for Valentine’s Day.

This 1969(unsigned) screen print on mylar by Jim Dine, titled ‘Four Hearts’, is one of two thousand produced. I wonder what the other one thousand-nine hundred-ninety-nine are doing for Valentine’s Day?

©Linda Nelson 2016

My other statement piece is this 2016 original, one-of a-kind, signed collage on acetate by yours truly, titled ‘Sweet Tender Heart’. Priceless.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Thanks for stopping by, my blog reading sweethearts!

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“HOO” LOVES EASY SEWING PROJECTS?

February 8, 2016

I enjoy sewing craft projects, and even more so when they are simple to do, as are these adorable fabric owls.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I bookmarked this pictorial post a few years ago and finally revisited the site this past weekend to give the project a try. They’re so much fun and so ridiculously easy to make. The one pictured above is a baby boy gift. I omitted using buttons for eyes; instead, I securely sewed on felt eyes that cute and curious little hands won’t be able to pull off. I also made my template quite a bit larger than the one in the tutorial; the finished size of this owl is nine inches tall and about six inches in diameter at its base.

©Linda Nelson 2016

My template for this pair of owls is slightly larger than the one in the tutorial, and they stand five inches tall and three and one half inches at their base.

I added something to my owls that the tutorial owls lack – rocks! Yes, just prior to cinching up the base I nestled a weighty round rock into the stuffing. That added feature helps make the owls bottom heavy so that they “sit” nicely.

“Why the Sharpie pen?”, you ask? Well, aside from the brown fabric breast area, that owl is made with artists canvas cloth, which is very easy to write upon with a marker pen. Make one just like it the next time you host a gathering and have guests sign their name somewhere on the canvas surface. This way you can have a sweet little keepsake to remember “hoo” came to your party.

There you have it.

Now, get creative.

Hoot, hoot.

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IT’S A BREAD MAKING KIND OF DAY, CHARLIE BROWN.

January 23, 2016

Do you remember ordering Scholastic books from school as a child? My sister and I looked forward to the monthly brochures our teachers would hand out. We’d check off our wish list of books, mom would put the money and completed form in an envelope, and we’d deliver it back to our respective teachers. Then….. we would wait, and wait…………………………. and wait. It seemed like a lifetime before the shipment would come in and the books would be distributed to the students. Both of my children delighted in ordering from Scholastic when they were young, and I hope the youngsters of today are enjoying it, too.

Well, this little book (one of my sister’s picks) has stood the test of time in our family, and all because of one memorable recipe – CHARLIE BROWN’S ALL-STAR WHITE BREAD. It does not disappoint. I promise. Scout’s honor.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Check out this recipe’s cartoon. How befitting as we ride out this blizzard, no?

Do give this recipe at try. I assure you…….. you won’t be feeding it to the birds!

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EXPLORE THE WORLD OF ATC’S…….INCHIE BY INCHIE!

January 22, 2016

Are you familiar with the expressive little mixed-media ATC’s, or Artist Trading Cards? I’ve known about them; however, until recently, I’ve never really taken a good look into the expansiveness of this subculture. These artists not only make ATC’s, but Inchies, Twinchies and Rinchies, too. Wait!…….. it doesn’t end there; I’ve also spotted artist trading blocks(ATB’s) and artist trading spoons(ATS’s)! I won’t attempt to be a source for the endless examples out there; just google it for yourself and be prepared to enter an underground world of artistic Lilliputianism. It’s quite impressive. Really.

Pictured are a few that I’ve made. I’ll finish up the Valentine’s Day inspired one this evening. This weekend’s upcoming snowstorm may force me to be housebound for a day; therefore, I may whip up a few more. Note that I used acetate and corrugated cardboard instead of the traditionally used card stock or watercolor paper to create my design upon.

Perhaps this genre of artwork is yesterday’s news to you. If so, I hope this post reawakens your curiosity as a catalyst for your setting aside some time to play. I find the small-scale nature of this activity ideal for quick, loose exercises which can aid in luring artists out of creative blocks. If, just like me, you are far from lacking ideas and inspiration, but are unable to take on involved projects at the moment, making ATC’s are perfect for releasing brief spurts of creative energy. They make for adorable purse-size mood boards for anyone starting a decorating project, too. Obviously, the conventional, shared pleasure is found in collecting and trading them, hence their name.

The range of materials used for making ATC’s is endless. I admit that I’m not a big fan of craft supply store chains, nor the the pre-packaged embellishments, decorative papers and accoutrements they sell. I much prefer gathering and finding notions, making my own paint/glue/seal recipes and using homemade/improvised tools for my creative makings; but, that’s just me. Whatever your approach, go ahead and give this palm-size activity a try!

Oh, and by the way, I’ll trade ya!

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