From the Archives

Hello All!

I've got a rare treat for you today!  A little looksie into the Archives of my old Handmade Card Biz I owned a decade (WOW, a decade!) ago :) I didn't even know (or just plain forgot) these existed!

You see....as most of you already know.....I've been running Bare Bones computer-wise for a few months now....no access to Desktop, External Hardrives, USB Port, Scanner, Printer.....Nuttin....not even sound!  While this makes sharing and uploading pics of new work challenging, it hasn't been impossible.  I type all the content of my posts here at home, snap the photos, etc. then I take them to my Parents' house.  My Dad puts them on his computer for me, and I transfer them to the post from there.  It works....but I don't get to manipulate my photos, so my camera skills have been tested, too!

Anyways....while I was there yesterday, I was looking for copies of my work in his files to use on another website...when....lo and behold.....

I stumbled across these! What a blast from the past! Thank goodness parents think all their kid's stuff is worth keeping...haha!

I handwrote all that Japanese in the background! No, I don't know how to speak it.....I copied it. But my Grandmother was Japanese...my Middle name is Shizuko, which was her name. Just a little tidbit about me :)

I started making handmade cards 11 years ago at my kitchen table. I was working as a waitress back then, and I'd load the cards up into a basket and show my regular customers my creations....

I called my biz Art 2 Heart.

I've always loved sets of things......separate pieces that belong together.

Here is my first Shell Set painted in watercolor. My gosh, how could I forget these!

These Swan Cards blew me away! I vaguely remember doing these...but, if my Dad hadn't insisted  on scanning every piece I've ever done....then these would have still been lost in the dark recesses of that peanut I call a brain, too...lol!

This next one is my favorite in this set <3

And here's 2 more for fun!

Oh, and matching envelopes! I think they make such a nice statement that can make the Receiver smile even before it's opened...and ties everything together :)

Hope you enjoyed these...I know I did.  A trip down crafting memory lane has been a nice way to gain new ideas from old projects...and takes the pressure off not having anything more recent to share...haha!

Of course...it can make one feel a little OLD, uggh...

What's lying around in your archives?

Smiles :)

Cam

Refreshed and Ready!

We're back from our vacation....and I missed you guys for sure!  But, I made certain that if I was to be away so long, that I would make up for it with pics galore!  Okay, okay...so maybe looking at other people's trip photos doesn't sound like the most exciting thing in the world...but bear with me....

Hopefully I won't dissappoint :)

My daughter and I flew up to Oregon, while Hubby drove up a few days earlier with our camping gear.  We then drove down the Coast back down to So. California together.  This is what a lot of our mornings looked like :)

This, too...heehee!

Oregon's famous for wild Marionberry bushes...everywhere!

 A bit tart this year, but fantastic in cottage cheese!

Here I'm keeping an eye on my 2 Sweethearts walking down River...oh, and maybe on my cute pedicured toes, too :) (Do you get your toes done before vacationing, too?....Oh, good...it's not just me then :-p)

Can you see Hubby and Mags out there?

How about now? :)

They LOVE the water, which is cold with a capital C! I don't know how my daughter can just jump in!  As for me....

Just up to the ankles is deep enough!

Nothing like tunes and snacks after swimming!

Say Cheese!

But the highlight of our travels had to definately be the animals we saw!

....like this adorable chipmunk....

Banana Slugs...

Roosevelt Elk...

Harbor Seals...

Look at this huge snail....I wish I had a pic of him out and about...he was pitch black!

My daughter was making lots of friends!

From this cute little butterfly....

To this sweet and patient donkey.....

How about a baby opossum...

Would you believe....a baby tiger!

What an amazing experience!

Our vacation was filled with fun and memories that I hope my daughter will carry with her always!

...Heck, even one of the hotels we stayed in had gorgeous sights....these murals were so colorful!

Hope I didn't bore you too much!  I'll be back next post with some new Sea Glass Hair Clips made from pieces we just collected at Glass Beach....

I couldn't wait to make some new ones after the thrill of findings such cool glass, shell and pottery pieces!

Missed you so!

Cam

Feeling Nutty

I meant to do this post sooner, but I've been running around getting last minute stuff done.....

You see, I leave tomorrow morning at 7am for 3 whole weeks!  3 weeks of camping, hiking, sight-seeing, browsing and general lolligagging :)  I'm looking forward to being among the trees and recharging that something inside me that needs fresh air and bird songs...that loves to experience that humbling peace from standing next to a Redwood Tree older than the Civil War.... I look forward to it....I do......but.....this is the first time I've been away from my Blog for such a long time!  Never been away from all of you that long!  I'm going to miss you so!

I'm afraid that 3 weeks in Blogland will be like 3 months here and I'll fall out of favor with you....you'll slowly forget about me as I tromp around looking for Banana Slugs and Elk....you'll see a painting that reminds you of someone you knew once upon a time, Carmen you think her name was.....

Okay, okay, so I'm being over dramatic! But I do worry about providing you with visual delights and entertaining reads, y'know.....I want you to like coming here!  Your visits make me happy!

....And so, I shall offer you a bit of something to gaze upon, a little giggle, perhaps, and a promise..... :)


Here is a 2nd little Stuffed Guy I made for Micki over at The Secret Hermit Studio.  I made a free hand pattern of a squirrel in profile.

I used 2 different fabrics, felt arms, and like the frog, put a leaf and a button on his bum :)

....But, how do I know this is a boy squirrel, you wonder?  Any guesses?

Let's just chalk this up to a lesson learned.....give any future squirrels TWO legs and TWO ears!  I decided to send him to her despite his...ahem....flaws :)

Can't wait to hear what she thinks of him...haha! Hope he gave you that giggle I mentioned before :oD

And now the promise...I'll come home renewed and refreshed ready to create upon my return!  I always have a ton of new ideas swirling around inside my noggin after trips like this!

So, don't forget about me because.....
I'll be baaaahk!

xo, Cam

Murals and Musings

Hello my Friends!

I've been waiting to unveil a project to you.  In fact, I showed a sneak peek here a bit ago....but NOW.....*drum roll*

IT IS COMPLETE! *crowd cheers*
Okay, so, it's the crowd of voices in my head, but at least they are all in agreement for once...haha!

Here is the finished mural I painted on my daughter's Preschool wall :)

It is done with acrylic paint and outlined with permanent black sharpie.  How did I ever come to take on such a huge project, you ask?....Well, I'm so glad you did :)

It's a lengthy story....so go ahead and get a cup of tea or a munchie to enjoy.... I'll wait :)

Anyhoo, it all started about 3 months ago.  I was diligently working on creating new pieces for an Art Show I was participating in.  I was trying something new after years of doing the same "old" thing creatively (I've always stuck with portraits of fairies, mermaids, etc in watercolor on watercolor paper).  This time I was inspired by the fabulous work of my friend, Sheree at Raven Moon Magic.  She used paperback pages as her canvas and the text as her message....and I was hooked!  I gave it a try and absolutely loved it.  My work was still based in the fantastic and the messages the text revealed to me leaned towards the mystical and playful. I was painting every night and posting completed artwork regularly.  I felt prolific, my spirit soared and I was happy!

My whole way I saw myself shifted from what I wanted to be (an artist) to being one!

So, one day, as I was dropping my girl off at school, I really took notice of the walls.  I saw the sad half- sketched start of a bee with a branch and a hive hovering there unfinished, drawing my attention.  Now, I had walked these same halls 3 days a week for the last 2 years, and never really gave this sight a second thought, but this day was different.  I walked up to the Administrator and opened my mouth...and said (this was so scary for me!)

"I'm an Artist, and I'd love to donate my time to finish that mural for you".  She said, " I thought you were a Massage Therapist?" Funny...

I handed her one of my postcards with my painting "Mother and Child" on it (the one on my sidebar) and her face lit up....so did mine!  I came to realize that I will only be respected as an artist, when I respect myself as one first!  What a leap for me....but I've been waiting a long time to overcome the obstacles in my own mind...

Don't get me wrong, there are still plenty of them in there...just trying to find the strength to tackle them one by one...  Believing that I AM an artist was a pretty big one for me : oP

And so,...I procrastinated at first...as is my usual mode....but when I started to feel like apologizing for not getting started, I decided instead, to just START!

What was supposed to be just a "Finish What's There" Project turned into a Whole Wall Full Blown Mural, covering up completely what was previously there!

I went on the weekends and did a couple hours at a time.  The wall is not smooth, so it made painting details and outlining a bit more challenging....but I'm soooo glad I did this!

It makes that wall so happy now!  ....And the school's name, after all, is Happy Hippo Preschool :)
It feels so good to create for the sake of creating, for the enjoyment of others, just because I CAN!

Thanks for stickin' with me through that tale.  Long, but significant in my emergence as a true Creative!  I appreciate your support and the inspiration to take flight!

Smiles all Around!
Cam

Giveaway Results and New Creations

Hello All!  Hope you're having a wonderful week so far.  The sun is back with a vengence here in So. California....already enjoyed a icey cold popsicle (coconut)!  I have a few things to share with you today....

But, first thing's first!  I hope you all had fun at the Mad Tea Party this weekend!  I had a blast putting it together, though the quality of the photos would have been so much better if I had access to Photoshop Elements!  Our darn computer is running only very basic settings.  My Hubby has decided to "build" us a new computer....he started last night, but accidently broke a little part already...so it's back to the computer store :)  Sounds of "Dang it", "Crap" and "no, No, NO" could make some worry....for me, it's just the sound of things getting done (eventually) Lol!

The Tea Party was such a great event to be a part of.  I thank those of you who stopped here for a Dream and a cup of tea....and welcome to my New Blog Friends who have wonderfully agreed to continue this journey in Blogland with me :oP

  I decided to let my "Alice" help me choose the winner of the drawing for these earrings! 

I wrote all the names on pieces of paper....

..... and presented her with the cup :)

She took her time picking  the one "her fingers told her to"

....And the winner is:

Congratulations, Mermaiden Creations!

Can't wait to get those to ya  : oP

In addition to those earrings, I have some new pairs in my shop....Take a quick peek at a few :)

I have some new art to show you, too!  Have you heard about something called the Diary Project?  I learned about it from my friend Jamie over at Hybrid J.  In a nutshell, artists, illustrators, anyone really, chooses a date to design for next year's  calendar.  It's a really cool way to be a part of a collaborative effort and a free way to advertise what you do.  I found it a bit of a challenge to work only in black & white....but overall, pretty happy with the results.  I chose my birthday.

I'm also happily in the middle of a trade with the wonderful Micki Wilde at the Secret Hermit Studio and Illustration!   Her art is so cute and quirky...collages and mixed media pieces....funny little animals....She just opened a new Etsy shop filled to the brim goodies!  She loved that stuffed whale I had made for a different swap and asked if I would make one for her. 

Micki

**SPOILER ALERT**

Ssssh! Don't tell her....but here's what I made!

She loves frogs!

Here's the back.

Did you see? The fabric has dragonflies on it.

I saw this button and knew I had to incorporate it in his creation!

When I get her exquisite painting in return, I will excitedly share it with you~!  My ever-supportive Mom has told me to start offering kits to make these little guys in my store....what do you think?

Thank you again for checking in with me today...I'll see you again soon :o)