Always remember the beauty of the garden

happy hands

2011-12-15T14:07:00.005-05:00

are busy hands!

Hands that LOVE to make the world a better (and prettier) place! Doctors, Gardeners, Songwriters, Artists, Dog Groomers, Photographers, Caregivers, Massage Therapists, Midwives, Authors, Musicians, House Painters, Hair Stylists, Architects.. there are millions of ways we C.R.E.A.T.E. and give back with our hands.

I started to see and feel the signs of arthritis, most notably in my hands, right around the time I rediscovered my artistic nature. Like many, I am a self-taught artist and over the past few years, it has come to define me. Whenever I find myself projecting to a time in the future when they may no longer work for me, it also serves to heighten awareness of all those that work with their hands and do it through PAIN and I decide to focus instead on the health that I have today ~ right now.

Spanning a four-decade career, I've worked mainly in sales yet there was a time when I had the chance to work with my hands! You can read about it in an earlier post.

The idea to write this "homage to hands" came from that aching feeling I get following a photo restoration project, perfecting line, color, exposure and possibly DUST on the original negative and therefore making about a million MOUSE CLICKS to preserve this lovely photo of my lovely (now 88 year-old) mother. And I wanted to share it with you!

Art Journal Page 2Dec11

2011-12-03T21:44:00.009-05:00

A few weeks ago, I decided to prep a few pages in my 8x5 moleskine sketchbook to help jump-start the journaling process. I started with a light application of white gesso, used a babywipe to blend in neocolor II wax crayons and stamped a repeating image with black staz-on.

Next I glued the photo in place and covered the left side with clear gesso. This helps to remove any sticky residue left behind, protects the 1st layer of color and adds texture, or "tooth."

Last night I finished this simple spread with a few doodles, a mhendi-style mandala and some random thoughts on my love of LETTERING. These finishing touches were inspired by Samantha Kira's cool, new email-based class, called Journaling Deep! This is a year-long class which costs only $10/month... and you can opt out at any time... or not! So, please be sure to check out a few of her (57) videos, here.

Sakura Pens used:
Gelly Roll MED White
Gelly Roll Metallic
Gelly Roll Souffle (kind of a mint green)

Bic Pen

Technique: background layers

2011-11-28T23:30:00.003-05:00

a background layering technique explained, a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

- PAINT/GESSO: the page started with an acrylic paint mix of a fairly bright turquoise blue & neon red which became this very interesting blue/grey. next i used a credit card to scrape a thin layer of white gesso,
- NEGATIVE STENCIL: once the 2 layers were fairly dry, I used this technique with an alpha stencil, a spray bottle, baby wipe & a paper towel. You can see the vertical "W V" in the center on the left side.
- BIC PEN: traced a different (backward) alpha stencil with a pen
- COLLAGE: cut, glued and painted several shapes from a found postcard. small pc of sheet music.
- PAINT MARKER: traced a third stencil using a mechanical pencil, due to it's small size then traced over it with a red Sharpie Paint Marker.
- NEO COLOR II: don't you just love the rich pigment of this crayon set? Used a wet application of orange for the border.

Farquhar Family: Julia

2011-10-02T13:07:00.016-04:00

Our dear grandmother was an actress & a performer at heart, illustrated by her glamorous pose and the "come-hither" expression in her eyes. Having a great sense of humor, no doubt she was simply joking around for the camera!!

At her happiest on stage, julia was born in an era where good methodist girls did NO SUCH THING! And although I can easily imagine she had dreams of bigger stages, I am grateful that she was able to satisfy at least PART of those dreams by devoting as much time as possible singing in the choir, also as a soprano soloist, acting in church plays, performing piano recitals and even accompanying a silent film or two, I've been told.

PERFORMANCE was the breath in her body, the light in her eyes and the fire in her heart. Sadly she was tied down with 4 young children by the time she was 30 and dealt with much stress and strife in her homelife throughout the decades. I have a strong feeling there was alot more beneath the surface, a true ARTIST, if anyone took the time to really know her. I love her and acknowledge her bright spark and the creative juices that flowed through her veins.

Thank you, mimi, for that part of you... inside of me. XO

Flea Haul

2011-09-12T17:35:00.005-04:00

Do you love the joy of the hunt as much as I do? It's so darned rewarding to repurpose and recycle ~ plus I love finding something beautiful that has a time-worn patina!! Well, I finally remembered to share my haul pictures from MAY... because there were so many sweet little treasures I wanted to share! Funny story: just before that weekend, I had a dream about a straw handbag and decided I wanted to find one for the summer... sort of like the ones I used to carry in my college/disco days, lol. When i spotted one for $4.00, YOU KNOW I didn't hesitate!

It was so rewarding to find 2 huge rolls of plain white paper for painting collage papers and three cute little plastic tools: an alphabet stencil, shapes stencil and a paint scraper, all for around $1.00!

Well, I have to confess that there were two extravagences that set me back about $30 ~ (which is why I don't go very often) ~ the stunning RED ROSE tablecloth from the 1940's and the gorgeous pair of crystal earrings which I will most likely upcycle into one of my own jewelry designs.

The little scotty dog is a cream-colored cigarette case from the 1930's which I just couldn't part with. (was thinking of selling on ebay) I currently use it to hold my business cards and just adore that it pops open when you give it a gentle squeeze! A great little conversation piece.

Other items: cabinet card, cute vinyl make-up case, cross pendant, 2nd pr of earrings, lace table runner (on my kitchen table), a precious journal and an extra large piece of vintage sheet music!

Art Journal Fodder: Craft Foam

2011-09-10T18:14:00.006-04:00

Thrift shop find!

Cut from a sheet of craft foam, there are two ways to play peek-a-boo! You can choose to reveal the POSITIVE/stamp or the NEGATIVE/stencil (or BOTH).

To use as a stencil, simply fill a spray bottle with watered-down paint or dilute alcohol ink in a small amount of household rubbing alcohol. To use as a stamp, brayer or use your fingers to spread a thin layer of paint onto a smooth surface, I use a 8x8" ceramic tile, press and stamp!

Tools used: pen, craft knife with a fresh blade and an "anywhere" punch!

Art Journal Page 7Aug11

2011-08-27T21:20:00.008-04:00

STEPS 1 + 2
Paint! Whoever said, "once you use paint in your art journals, it becomes addicting," was right! There's nothing more fulfilling than laying down that first layer of color, usually after I've applied a layer of gesso with a cheapo "chip brush."

APPLICATION
I prefer to use a credit card to apply my acrylic paint because it's fast, clean-up is easy (keep a shallow bowl near-by, filled partially with water - or clean off immediately with a baby wipe or a rag), you use less paint and the BEST PART is that your pages won't stick. Rather than wasting leftover paint, just scrape it onto future pages (see my next post!)

TECHNIQUE
Start with a lighter color. Then, after scraping the 1st layer of paint across your page, scrape a dark or medium shade overtop of it. Next, use your fingers to drip random drops from a glass of water or block the nozzle on a spray bottle with a finger, for larger "glops!" Wait about 1 minute, blot the excess water with a paper towel and SCRAPE to reveal the lighter color underneath. Keep adding water, as needed.

LAYERS
Paper and I have always had this love affair. 10 years ago, i referred to myself as a "paper artist" and I've got a room-full to show for it! Vintage magazines, nat geo (used here), old dictionaries, ledgers, primary schoolbooks, ephemera, postcards, cab cards, sheet music, scrapbook paper, cardstock... the list goes on. So! it's super fun to incorporate that extra layer either before or after gesso or in between paint layers.

Another layer that's a must for me is using handcarved stamps and grabbing something from my "mark making" collection such as bubble wrap, sequin waste (used here), old shower curtain grommets, corks (used here)...

the uglies

2011-08-24T14:05:00.006-04:00

we all have 'em... in our Art Journals, that is! "let the inspiration flow" - guess it wasn't flowing MY way, that day, lol.

I've read both sides of the keep it or paint over it discussions, and truthfully, only you can make that call. For me, I got depressed every time I looked at it. About 5 weeks passed, I bought a few alphabet stencils in a Thrift Shop and had an "AHA" moment. Next, I simply pulled the tape off -used a little red acrylic paint and a spouncer to re-do the title. (luckily the old one was on masking tape!!) And... SCORE!

Earrings: August 2011

2011-08-20T21:34:00.005-04:00

Thanks, Gaby, for the inspiration!! XO

Earrings: June 2011

2011-08-16T23:15:00.005-04:00

Before I post a whole new batch of designs, I wanted to catch you up to date on a small sampling of the earrings I made for a local Art Show in early Summer. These eight pairs are currently on display in a retail location, and through a special arrangement with the owner, they are also available for sale in my Etsy shop, where I can create a custom listing if you spot something you like!

Convo me here or in my etsy shop!

Basic Stamp Carving

2011-08-12T16:41:00.002-04:00

more stamping, a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

Why buy basic shapes when you can carve them yourself! A few months ago I managed my first attempt at basic carving with a Speedball lino cutting tool and a block of flexible, pink Speedy-Carve. Dick Blick carries a 9" x 11 3/4" sheet for $21.00. Erasers are great for carving too!. And don't forget to save your wine corks :D

I stamped this "sample set" with a brown pigment inkpad on a sheet of blank newspaper; a nice weight to use in collage. I also used it to make my painted background papers, shown in an earlier blog post and on flickr as well. View the carved stamps and the painted papers here.

Art Journal Page 18Jul11

2011-08-05T17:45:00.009-04:00

painted a wash of green paint over a self-portrait,

"crackle" rubber stamp cube, in brown ink,

torn pieces of vintage wallpaper,

new fave color duct tape,

deco tape,

pink porfolio oil pastel,

applied molding paste with corrugated cardboard for texture.

Art Journal Page 13Jul11

2011-07-29T11:28:00.019-04:00

Products/techniques used:
- Gesso is always my first layer.
TIP: I prep all of my pages with gesso first for several reasons. 1) Using a "chip brush" gives me added texture, 2) laying down a solid, opaque white base makes my colors POP, 3) gesso prevents the paint from soaking into the paper so, again, more pigment is visible.

- Several layers of acrylic paint were scraped on with a credit card.

TIP: If you don't want your colors to blend, sometimes creating a muddy appearance or (GASP!) turning brown, then use a blowdryer or heat gun drying each layer of paint completely. This will ensure that each color remains pure.

- Bubble wrap or sequin waste!

- I added the white drips across the top of the page using Speedball white calligraphy ink.
TIP: Blowing paint or ink drips with a straw helps to spread it out and pushes the liquid further down the page.

- The butterfly wings are torn vintage ledger paper and are colored with sharpie "metallic" and poster paint pens.

- Just above "take a leap" I applied several strips that I cut out of a magazine ad.
TIP: I always try to use collage for added texture and layers. If you adhere them with gel medium or mod podge, be sure to cover the top as well. After painting over collaged bits, this gives you the option of wiping some of it away allowing some of the image to show through. Clear gesso works also.

- I used a hand-carved petal stamp to make the flowers with black staz-on ink.

- The flower stems and grass are portfolio (water soluble) wax pastels.
TIP: For a softer look, you can paint over portfolios with a wet paintbrush. Or you can leave them AS IS, like I did, for more of a handmade, distressed, even childlike effect.

- The text around the butterfly was written using a silver metallic sharpie and outlined with a Pigma micron pen.

- Alphabet stamps for "take a leap of faith" are Sunny Lower Case by Hero Arts.
TIP: When stamping letters, to avoid running off of the right edge of a page, start at the edge and work backwards. To center text or a title, stamp the middle letter and work outwards.

Have fun and be sure to leave a comment if you try one of these tips!
Please feel free to share one of YOUR favorite tricks/tips?

Butchers, Mummers & Baseball

2011-07-27T13:07:00.018-04:00

...are all part of my family's legacy in the greater Philadelphia/NJ area specifically referring to my grandmother, Julia Kelly Cook's father (she eventually marries into the Farquhar clan) and her three brothers, all pictured below.

A copy of a copy, and still legible, is this article from an unknown Gloucester, NJ periodical of an unknown date, yet it's clearly one of my favorite pieces of family ephemera. Not because it's about an entire town's gratitude for my (paternal great-grandfather's) family's contributions - though that's certainly, quite SPECIAL - but because it gives me a clear sense of

who they were,
what they did,
and what they loved
... all in 1900!

Charles Sr, center, with a hat, surrounded by his family!

Charles Sr is absent from this photo but his three sons are here along with his daughter & his wife. Harry is in the bottom row, next to his sister (my grandmother, Julia), Charles Jr. is in the back row on the right and Martin is next to him. My grandfather, Joseph Willis Farquhar, their brother-in-law, is next to martin. Just behind Julia is Charles Sr's wife, Anna, mother of those amazing children!

(Cook is not only my father's mother's maiden name, of German origin & initially spelled K-O-C-H but also my married name, which is Romanian & spelled C-O-C-A.)

Pinching Myself ~ I Get To Live Here!

2011-07-19T12:09:00.005-04:00

MY VALHALLA! The first three photos were taken in New Milford, CT around mid-day yesterday, on a "birthday road trip" with a very dear friend. The last shot was taken at an old favorite fishin hole at Hatch Pond in Kent, CT just before sundown on june 25th. All are less than 6 miles from home.

Proud to be an American circa 1858

2011-07-04T16:23:00.005-04:00

During an annual visit to my favorite aunt (NJ sept 2009), I was able to photograph the document which granted American Citizenship to my great-great grandfather, Thomas Edward Farquhar.

The first few lines read, "BE REMEMBERED that at a Court of Common Pleas _ Camden, in and for the County of Camden, and State of New Jersey, in the United States of America, on the twenty eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight, Thomas Farquhar, a native of Ireland, exhibited a petition, praying to be admitted to become a citizen of the United States..."

Citizenship granted 28, Jan 1858

Laura Farquhar Reeve, self-portrait

This is how much I love her!

She has been the inspiration behind my passion for genealogy and, to date, I have 69 people in my family tree and a similar number of corresponding vintage family photos!

a message just for me!

2011-06-30T01:24:00.005-04:00

a message just for me!, a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

Last week I took a short drive with my mother while visiting her in Vermont (following some garage sale signs, actually), came around the bend to a very special "spot" that I shared with my dad in the late 1990's and was greeted by this beautiful tree!

It's located at the base of a long, dirt driveway and at the top is a VERY old, stately home, usually vacant, with a wrap-around porch, orchards, fields of wildflowers, a 180 degree view... and sunsets that would take your BREATH AWAY.

...thanks, dad. xo

Art Journal page 10Jun11

2011-06-23T21:21:00.011-04:00

From an earlier blog post about counting my blessings with 3 of my flower photos, I was inspired to write a little "poem" in my written journal. Next, a prompt from Tee Thompson of green isles crafts inspired me to re-create this on a page in my ART journal and it felt like a FULL CIRCLE moment to me! Maybe YOU'LL be inspired by a word or an image here so that I can "pay it forward."

Homemade Background Papers, 2nd Round

2011-06-18T02:35:00.002-04:00

Lots of ideas are percolating... such as "end papers" in bookmaking and wrapping bookboards for journal covers, using them in my MM collage, backgrounds for journal pages & ATCs, trading and so much more! Can't wait to play.

little girl lost, sharing my story

2011-06-14T15:11:00.005-04:00

I have always been an open book, never quite understanding what it really means. I realize now that being vulnerable is a gift... just like each and every part of us is a gift!

We are all unique right down to our freckles and, please believe me when I tell you, it is our JOB TO SHARE OUR GIFTS WITH THE WORLD. This is something I am so passionate about (note the caps) because it is my sincere belief that your gifts are what the universe is holding it's breath for; waiting for; praying for!

So please don't waste another moment to speak what's on your mind today or in your heart or on your easel and please put it out there. Let's all TOUCH another person's life today with our truth and with the essence of who we are because what's more precious than sharing a piece of ourself with another? The world will be richer for it.

As an artist and truly a teacher at heart, I LOVE showing a piece in progress as it unfolds and finds itself.

Like carving a sculpture from a piece of rock, this was one of those pages that gave me a feeling of relief, once completed.

Using acrylic paint, oil pastels, gel pens, handcarved stamps, masking tape and "ransom" style magazine letters on this one, each page becomes a purging of sorts. My goal for these journal pages is to make it PERSONAL so that by doing so, I can no longer take for granted what I'm discovering on this inner journey!

On the subject of my page, over the last few months I was finally able to get rid of an ache I've had in my heart for five decades and forgive my step-grandfather for molesting me at a very young age. Not excuse, not condone in ANY WAY, just accept that he was a victim of a victim just like I was. Closure. "I can forgive. I choose love."

refreshed & renewed

2011-06-08T11:56:00.006-04:00

Sitting here today I had a growing feeling that I needed to take a moment to reflect on what's behind me and what's ahead of me.

Currently in the US our flowers are in bloom and the change of seasons seem to make me want to quietly count my blessings one-by-one and, almost like a stopwatch, hit the RESET button. If I don't stop for a few precious minutes to focus on all of the positives in my life, then I find it's all too easy to get caught up in all of the million little tasks at hand and ultimately, I begin to feel frustrated... believing there's ever ENOUGH!!

Time
Money
Projects Completed
Trips Taken
Goals Met
People Seen
Emails Sent
Phone calls Made

~ you fill in the blank.

And I was inspired to jot this down on a piece of paper..

"There is healing found in the cycles of the natural world and I'm certain it was here that God intended we discover the lesson of renewal. Ebb and Flow. Sunrise and Sunset. Wax and Wane. Summer's Warmth and Winter's Cold. Give and Take. Birth and Death. Tides, Sun, Moon, Seasons, Life. When we take the time to contemplate the mysteries that surround us… questions are answered. And we emerge refreshed... renewed."

Happy Spring into Summer!

Technique: Painted Paper Backgrounds

2011-05-29T23:53:00.012-04:00

Why did I wait so long to try this!!? A few months ago, I purchased a pack of delicious paste paper scraps from Albie Smith and my interest was officially piqued. Some benefits of creating your own designs are:

Choose your own colors,

Patterns,

Paper Weight

Save money

Relaxing/Zen/Freeing

Experiment with new painting techniques for your "artist's toolbox"

Fun

I would have to say, the best part of creating my own papers for use in mixed media collage, is how free it feels to simply CHECK OUT and let your right brain take over... something we can all do more of. It can be the perfect exercise in LETTING GO and although I try to work intuitively in all mediums, it's so easy to just "give in to the process" while painting backgrounds!

Take the RIGHT BRAIN vs LEFT BRAIN creativity test.

Any type of paper will do. You can either make paste paper with Elmer’s Art Paste at Dick Blick's or whip up a home recipe of 6 cups boiling water, 1 cup of flour, strainer, as many covered (yogurt-etc) containers as paint colors desired. Begin by bringing 5 cups of water to a boil, mix flour with 1 remaining cup of water and add to (dedicated) saucepan. Turn off and stir to thicken. Add to containers along with acrylic paint. Stencil, layer, sgraffito, drip, spray, use mark-making tools (a fave).. the sky's the limit! Be sure to check out YouTube for more detailed information or my new friend Barb Owen's paste paper Vid on USTREAM!

My first 3 pages were made on blank newsprint sheets with cheap acrylic paint, a straw, a lid and a plastic gift card:

“If you hear a voice within you saying, ''You are not a painter,'' then by all means paint… and that voice will be silenced.” - Vincent van Gogh

Art Journal Page: 29Apr11

2011-05-26T14:57:00.008-04:00

Recently having been bitten by the art journaling "bug," I took my book on our first trip to boston this year for a Red Sox game in april. The first pic shows this page in its RAW FORM having doodled in bed for two hours around 1 AM!! Later at home, I carefully taped over the writing with painter's (no-stick) tape and went crazy with my acrylic craft paints, using a homemade stamp around the border. The most fun? removing the tape!!

TEXT: "I trust my own perceptions. I receive your good willingly. This is my prayer. Believing in myslef and my abilities, finding strength internally, not depending on others for validation. I am worth taking the time and making the effort."

Camera Woes & Art To Share

2011-05-24T12:54:00.004-04:00

I've been productive with LOTS of art to share but having some camera issues. Over the weekend I was unable to offload (351) photos from my finepix & will give it another try tonight... crossing my fingers. Worse-case I guess I can always take my photo card to Walmart!

Truthfully, I've known it was time and have done some shopping around. Looks like I may need need to start doing some serious research ~ as anyone that knows me, will agree ~ it's an appendage that I can't live without!

I'm looking in the $200-$300 range and haven't really landed on anything yet but would like an increase to my current 6.3 megapixel, 3x zoom with performance and reliability at the top of the list.

Journal Making Class GIVEAWAY

2011-05-20T22:30:00.003-04:00

I'm excited to share the news. My talented friend, Teressa Thompson, is having a drawing on Monday for a FREE SCHOLARSHIP to her online Rustic Journal workshop! Just leave a comment on her post... here!

A Return to Cardmaking

2011-05-17T10:00:00.009-04:00

January 2011 was catharctic for me. I made a plan to put my jewelry making on the backburner for a few months and take the winter off to focus on making ART AGAIN! The real change began in November when I reorganized my neglected studio space and that's when I couldn't ignore the "call to return" growing louder and louder, inside of me... (actually it was SCREAMING) so I listened.

A mother's day card that started with a new ATC, a quotation from a book on Roses and a pretty pink rose "popped" on top of a piece of foam tape and sprinkled with some german glass glitter. The final touch was a length of vintage handmade lace from one of my ancestors.. believed to be made by my great-grandmother, Laura Adella Murphy Farquhar (1859-1911) pictured below.

Experimenting with Small Format Again

2011-05-10T01:58:00.004-04:00

Journal Page Technique: Citra Solv

2011-05-07T23:49:00.001-04:00

Citra-solv! I love the "painterly" effects when you spritz this household cleaner onto photos in National Geographic. I don't know what makes it work, but someone/somewhere discovered that it reacts to the special inks that are used (thank you, someone). The New York Times Magazine was also mentioned in a post, which i have yet to try..

Lots and lots of resources all over the place for learning more. There's a facebook page, website with gallery and tutorial, tons of youtube fodder and be sure to check out another great resource at stampington for this video, as well as a gallery plus you can buy it from their online shop as well!

I follow the basic process of spraying the solvent onto the photograph, waiting a hot minute and wiping with a paper napkin or babywipe. As you can see, the solvent was applied right to the already assembled page.

Simple doodling with 3 Sharpie "Poster Paint" pens, journaled with same.. which turned out to give a really fab contrast to the black gesso.

...Now it's your turn TO GET DIRTY (my term for creating art!) and MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!

artist date photos

2011-04-15T04:10:00.004-04:00

artist date

2011-04-15T00:40:00.004-04:00

no pics from tue/wed yet (just a web grab), but wanted to share how refreshing it was to hop in the car this week and drive 150 miles to visit my mom. It had been 8 weeks and a much overdue trip - so, good stuff all around!

the route i drive goes through miles and miles of wide open farmland, rolling hills, passing clouds, barns, silos, cows... so many of things that I love! Old cemeteries, vine covered buildings, dirt roads, I could go on!

i stopped frequently as the mood arose, camera ready-at-the-draw! one road definitely freaked me out a bit, though. All of the houses appeared to be crumbling and pretty desolate.. I watch too many movies like that...! so I drove about 2 miles and made a u-turn after crossing a creepy open-grate bridge with swirling rapids down below! lol

enjoyong the solitude and allowing nature to excite and inspire, was what my trip home was all about! I saw two separate flocks of wild turkeys and lots of males puffing or spreading out their tail feathers (just like peacocks) to attract females for mating.

I also listened to my Artist's Way cds and I appreciated the part about artists being VISUAL and how important the weekly artist date is ~ for the purpose of "filling the well." Which is exactly what i did. Pure bliss!

Full Circle Friendship

2011-04-08T00:07:00.004-04:00

As I am usually the one seeking to re-connect with misplaced friendships along the way, I had a pleasant surprise waiting for me last month when I logged in to my flickr account! I had a new message, titled "Greetings From Philadelphia." And here's the kick... I moved two states away, 37 years ago! I'm smiling as I head off to bed tonight, after a long phone conversation filled with memories and laughter and thinking to myself, "What a treasure to be able to close a loop left open so many decades ago!" XO

19th century sisters: augusta, alice and edna

2011-04-03T22:22:00.007-04:00

a photo bycookievf on Flickr.

...also known as "GUS, PETE and TED!" The nicknames were affectionately given to these three sisters by their father ~ who was hoping for boys! Happily, after Alice came Bruce, then Scott and finally Helen.. and my great grandfather was pleased and to some degree, relieved. He now had two sons to continue the family's business of manufacturing wood lacquers and stains, which they did. So successfully in fact, that the reins were eventually passed on to the 3rd and 4th generations, becoming world-renowned particulary in the music business (guitar lacquers, stains & finishes) at the very same Philadelphia location, where it continued until 2009, for 135 years!

Alice, my maternal grandmother, lived 99 years and 10 months and has been my SPECIAL guardian angel watching closely over me since 1995.

A new chapter has been added to this wonderful McFadden family tree. In my quest to research family genealogy, I have just located one of Edna's granddaughters and we're sharing photos, stories. documents and are now linked with another 2nd cousin on Facebook!

Approx 1915 ~ my great uncle, Scott McFadden, with a company truck

My "Soul Restoration" Story~Best $ Ever Spent

2011-03-31T13:10:00.025-04:00

Looking back, I'm extremely grateful that I made the decision last November to gift myself with the "SOUL RESTORATION I" online workshop using the profits from my jewelry business. My life has been forever changed and enriched by the Brave Girl community where I've met so many brave and beautiful women. Thank you Melody Ross and to everyone involved for creating this ongoing online community where we can continue to support each other, share our stories, our inner journeys ~ it's made it alot less scary.

I took Soul Restoration I in January and have learned so much about myself and gained so many new tools for leading a more fulfilling life. A recurring theme, among those who take it, is that it came at the p-e-r-f-e-c-t time and that's how it felt to me. This course served to reinforce one of the biggest decisions I've made in my life... to quit my job 1.5 years ago for a better quality of life! Regardless of the financial strain, moments of insecurity and self-doubt, I no longer question that it was the right choice.

Unless you have taken the course, it would be hard to imagine the rich dialogue that takes place among BRAVE GIRL sisters! Taking part in the Soul Restoration discussion forums is how we lift each other up, offer support, share our struggles, lean on each other and can always find encouragement when needed. I have read hundreds of these amazing stories of transformation and lessons learned and it was in one of the forums where :: I :: learned how to finally get my mind around the concept of forgiveness and have been able to forgive the relative who molested me at the age of 5 (now deceased for 37 years), something I've been unable to do for two decades! I have also discovered new ways to protect my heart, my goals and my dreams so that I continue to remain true to myself. For these reasons and more, I am extremely dedicated to continuing the work on my Soul Restoration and plan to take SR II in June! I've even had more breakthroughs THIS WEEK!!

Since the class officially ended, I have kept the promise to continue writing in my journal and doing the "soul work." I will remain OPEN & TUNED IN to everything my heart, God and the universe are saying to me and have watched in amazement at how the creative ideas are flowing all over the place, in notebooks, notepads, loose paper, post-it notes ~ whatever's handy at the time. I am trying my best to organize the flow of inspiration, collecting them in a 9x12 zippered pocket and now carry ONE large notebook with me wherever I go.

I am learning to draw, sketching non-stop, painting, making new friends online (something I’ve missed since I left my job and started a small jewelry business) and starting to work on my plan to teach in 2011. This is as real as it gets and I hope you will ALL be able to take part in this life-changing course one day very soon! Learn more about it at Brave Girls Club

You can read more about my transformation here.

new addiction: tape

2011-03-21T19:44:00.012-04:00

If I could point a finger (of thanks), it would be towards two lovely "art journalists" whom I've been excited about for several years: Juliana Coles and Kelly Kilmer! Lucky for us they are both Artist/Instructors so please check their websites for *tons* of inspiration and workshops.

Over the years, they've both shared their love of paper tape, masking tape also known as deco tape, washi tape and I recently found the idea QUITE impossible to resist... now that I've finally started art journaling myself AND ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES (more supplies, new techniques, learn, learn, LEARN!) I'm very excited about it and although my output is fairly low, I will share some of it very soon.

I also highly recommend the various NING communities as well for prompts, resonably priced classes, message boards, galleries and shared techniques.

Creative Workshops

Milliande Art Community For Women

Art Journaling

Sources (S+H extra):

carpet tape 2-sided, great for book covers & more! 36 yards for $8.93
3/rolls gaffer tape "Venice" 6 yds total $7.95
red damask clear packing tape 2" x 27 yards $7.00
japanese washi tape 3/4" x 16 yards $4.00

"Gettin Dirty" Again

2011-03-19T03:48:00.016-04:00

...my CODE for having paint/ink/glue all over my hands... which is when I'm the happiest! I've taken about a year and half break from mixed media art while focusing on creating and selling my artisan OOAK jewelry in local shops, craft fairs and on Etsy.

I decided the timing was perfect, to take a mini-break this winter, when I heard that Melody Ross was bringing Brave Girls Camp online with a workshop called Soul Restoration in January. That was the turning point for me! I signed up in early december and considered it a christmas present to myself.. a chance to set aside time for some soul searching and what she calls "soul crafting." It didn't disappoint because it has lit an Art Fire within that just won't quit! I am making art and continuing to really "buckle down and do the work" in my journal by keeping in touch with my TRUTH and mapping all of the journeys that my dreams will take me. And I am rejoicing because I know that my art is here to stay!

Basically, the camp is a 5-day retreat held in Idaho offering life-changing fun for women that you can read more about here. Melody says, "do you need healing...do you need help getting back on track? Do you need help remembering exactly who you are and what your dreams are....come join us...this stuff works....xoxox" The online workshop is a fabulous addition due to the overwhelming popularity of BGC, as the first 2 years of the retreat (2010 & 2011) have quickly sold out! Incredibly, 818 women from all over the world, are currently taking the first session of Soul Restoration 1 along with me... which ends on March 31.
I highly recommend this 6-week course and it begins again in 2 weeks!! Info here.

Soul Restoration 1 - "finding your truth" - April 5th - $99

Recently expanded!!

Soul Restoration 2 - "living your truth" - June 7 - $99

Check the youtube video to hear several students share their experience!

My art journal cover, above, was the very first project I tackled in SR (on Jan 11, 2011) and the first time I re-connected with my first love, mixed media art. I honestly feel as if I've been "broken open!" Thank you Melody and your entire team for a beautiful course and a job well done - XO. See you in June!

Layers and Detail

2011-03-18T15:38:00.003-04:00

best friends forever ATC a photo by cookievf on Flickr.

I came across the following description while glancing through some of my older pics on Flickr. Clearly, I document process & technique for sharing and for the fun i get out of looking back at something I created a few years ago.

"Truthfully, you don't realize how much work goes into these tiny treasures until you list ALL OF THE STEPS it took to create it!

13 Steps:
- patterned paper background,
- 2-3 colors distress ink
- taped to pre-printed "BACK" (name/date/email)
- stamped flower using clear ink,
- heat-embossed with copper - embossing powder,
- glued number transparency to background.
- matted printed photo onto torn vintage book page,
- distressed with ink
- cut square of blue mesh
- "popped" to card with foam tape.
- glued cardboard number
- edged with black sharpie
- glued purple microbeads to flower center

best friends forever ATC - created 0309"

folder journal BEGINNINGS

2011-03-12T02:02:00.010-05:00

I thought it would be fun to share the first steps of how I made my
special VALENTINE and what the table looked like, with two people working on the same project!

Take a look at Part II here and Part III here.

TECHNIQUE: image transfer

2011-03-08T06:19:00.013-05:00

There are a variety of ways to accomplish an image transfer, one of my very favorite techniques. I have achieved good results with a range of products, and have had equal success with both golden acrylic soft gel (matte), 8oz $10.22 USD and royal coat decoupage SATIN , 8 oz. $5.12 USD.

So far, I've used these five methods.

(1) TRANSPARENCY. print image onto a sheet of ink-jet transparency film, (spray with fixative) select a background and paint surface with a layer of soft gel. Place transparency ink-side down and brayer. peel back a corner to check your progress.. when image has (mostly) transferred - remove!

(2) GEL SKIN. First, select your image and cut it out. Apply soft gel like you're spreading butter on toast. let dry. repeat 5-10 times. roughen back with sandpaper, moisten with water & rub off paper backing with fingers.

(3) MY STANDARD. select a printed image and a background, apply a generous layer of soft gel to both and brayer for full saturation and coverage. Wait 1-2 minutes! Then peel back a corner to check your progress.. when image has (mostly) transferred - remove! Toner images work best but with trial-and-effort, meaning different sources for images, different substrates & varied drying time, (even FABRIC), you'll find there are MANY options. I have had most success with this method using vintage ledger paper.

(4) STANDARD. same as above but instead of peeling the image away from the background page, use sandpaper to roughen, moisten with water and rub backing off with fingers.

(5) PACKING TAPE. Select and cut out an image from a magazine or brochure. Apply as many strips of packing tape needed to cover completely. Submerge in warm water and remove once you're able to rub paper off with your fingers, sanding to roughen as that helps to get it started (but be careful, as always, not to remove too much). SOME MAGAZINES work better than others, so keep searching & testing... I can promise you that, as in life, the reward is worth the effort!

The trick with ALL of these methods is that the darker colors become more opaque while the lighter areas allow your background to show through. Be aware that text will appear reversed except when using gel skin and packing tape, where the "positive" image is used.

Here a few photos to illustrate the gel skin process:

In pic#5, you see a crisp, transparent image however, the final step in my journal shows a "milky" uneven finish to my transfer. An "ooops!" - here's what happened: instead of JUST spraying the back and rubbing the paper off.. I first dipped the image (with 8 layers of dry Royal Coat satin) into a tub of water for a few minutes - and that was my mistake. The front turned completely opaque and I was forced to use the reverse side which still retained a fine film of paper, no mater how hard I tried to remove it, even glaze it. LESSON: reserve the dipping step for packing tape transfers! Don't be afraid to make mistakes because trial-and-error is part of streching yourself creatively!

No art is bad art!

Mother's Day card 2009 made with gel skin method, described above. I cut-away the card behind the image, to show its transparent qualities, which is shown from the reverse at the beginning of this post.

MAIL ART

2011-03-06T18:00:00.003-05:00

Folder Journal Project COMPLETED

2011-02-27T18:25:00.006-05:00

finding my visual voice

2011-02-27T10:40:00.013-05:00

The last 2 pics were taken in 1985 at a sculpture garden for an assignment from a college photography course I was taking in NY.

Folder Journal - making magic with office supplies

2011-02-23T13:27:00.017-05:00

Somewhere in my future is a more serious book with coptic stitch bindings and pretty endpapers...

.. but for now, I wanted to share a project that was inspired by the Jan/Feb 2011 issue of "Cloth Paper Scissors" called FOLDER JOURNAL by Heidi Sekovski and Karin Winter.

Office Supplies: manilla file folders, hole punch, "artsy" reinforcements, paperclips, ledger paper. And from My Stash: handmade acrylic background papers, markers, sharpie paint pens, ribbon, caran d'ache water soluable wax pastels and a few photos thrown in! (view part 2 of this project here.)

Jen Mason, editor of the magazine, has a video showing some of the folders from the magazine article! here

A Behind-The-Scenes Peek

2011-01-21T13:51:00.007-05:00

..at what makes up my custom photo jewelry process:

- communication/email,

- upload to photo editing software,

- as needed: brightness, shadow, contrast, focus, color, cropping

- as needed: vintage restoration (additional charge)

- re-size,

- print,

- cut,

- adhere,

- glaze,

- clean/sand

- attach bail

- package

- wrap

- ship with delivery confirmation

- sometimes I will deliver in-person! All for an extremely reasonable price!

What Have I Been Up To?

2011-01-16T01:31:00.005-05:00

... busy enjoying life, of course!

HOME ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FUR BABIES

WALKS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HIKES

DIGGING OUT!

MAKING ORNAMENTS ~~~~~~~ART JOURNALS (online class)...

AND LOTS OF CUSTOM

PHOTO

JEWELRY!

Reorganized Studio - 1st Installment

2010-12-17T16:12:00.008-05:00

shelf detail
Originally uploaded by cookievf

Early 80's - measuring gold plating on mini PC boards (5 years after my intro to Electronics, soldering for NASA).

Read more here in an earlier post.

Here's a peek at a small portion of my studio! Typical to any mixed media artist, my collections include vintage books, maps, fabric trim, stamps, ink, paint, glue, wire, postcards, beads, buttons AND MORE!

Newest Designs

2010-12-08T17:36:00.004-05:00

I've been enjoying the creative process and, really, ALL aspects of my jewelry business these days. Networking, selling, craft fairs, listing, design, promotion, custom work and coming up with new and creative ways to market my newest ideas. Here is a small sampling of my newest designs. I also L.O.V.E custom orders and am currently working on 6 new orders for the HOLIDAY SEASON! Check back to see the finished projects...

Holly Jolly Christmas

2010-12-07T14:00:00.006-05:00

Flickr is one of my very favorite websites for several reaons. TALENT. I am constantly amazed at the talent pool and learn something about photography, every time I visit. INSPIRATION. Just try to walk away without taking a fresh perspective with you when you leave! VISUALLY RICH. The time I spend there is always uplifting. Sunsets, bridges, snow, misty mornings, nature's bounty. EASE OF USE. Searching groups and tags is always easy. A few recent searches: Antique Christmas, vintage santa, tinted postcards, home decor, interior design and that is what inspired me to create this mosaic today for your browsing pleasure!

I even found an idea for a beautifully, simple frosted candle holder here.

Just brush a wash of egg whites over the outside of a (vintage) jar and sprinkle with sugar! Tie a festive bow and voila, instant atmosphere! They used peppermint striped baker's twine.. i may use a swatch from my (vintage) mini-tinsel garland.

Holly Jolly Christmas
Originally uploaded by cookievf

Baby It's Cold Outside

2010-12-03T18:41:00.007-05:00

Last week I compiled my first two "treasury" lists on Etsy. Treasury is their ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery and a FEAST FOR THE EYES! This was my first one and there will be more to follow.

Now here's what makes it special: that by giving, you can receive, as well... which is a perfectly lovely idea! If you own a shop and decide to take the time to come up with a uniquely beautiful collection, and a catchy title helps, you not only bring exposure (and sometimes SALES) to 16 different shops but you are also introducing your shop to 16 new colleagues. Brilliant.

Visit the link below to see ALL the pretty things!

Blog Blasting Away!!

2010-11-03T23:30:00.006-04:00

Although I'm a few minutes early, the time feels right ~ so here I sit ~ globe in hand, ready to upload and to share my personal message with the world.

As a child of the 60's I turned 9 right about the time that the Beatles came to America... a life changing experience for any young girl. Theirs were the first songs I listened to on my transistor radio (borrowed from older brother). My first boyfriend CRUSH was Paul. When I went into the hospital, (another first) for a tonsilectomy, the cute boy next door gave me a Beatles Magazine for a going away gift. I melted! To this day I still get so happy whenever I hear those early hits like "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" and "Twist and Shout!"

Sounds frivolous, right?

Yet I will never forget the impact that the song, Imagine, had on me since I first heard those unforgettable lyrics. They still bring tears to my eyes, as they did again, TONIGHT, because the message in the song John Lennon wrote is simple, clear and earth-shakingly important to me.. and to the world.

I will also never forget my reaction, upon learning that my then, new husband, told me these were the most important lyrics he's ever heard! Then and there, I knew we were a match made in heaven!

Thank you Beatles. Thank you John. Thank you Mimi!

WE NEED PEACE AND WE NEED IT NOW. WE NEED EACH OTHER TO MAKE THIS DREAM COME TRUE IN OUR LIFETIMES. SO LET'S "COME TOGETHER... RIGHT NOW!"

"Imagine there's no Heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one."

an etsy shop update...

2010-10-19T13:09:00.007-04:00

2010-10-18T14:56:00.003-04:00

boston sept '10
Originally uploaded by cookievf

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."
- Arabian Proverb

Heaven Has A Special Angel Today

2010-10-17T16:34:00.014-04:00

Alsace Region (Mulhouse, Neuchatel, Strasbourg, Bonne) and Paris, FRANCE. Bone, TUNISIA. New York City, NY. These are the places that my husband's grandmother, Margot, lived before a long, arduos journey with her family to America where they finally settled in Connecticut.

She was 99.

Her involuntary (and frightening) exodus began when Nazi Germany invaded her hometown in France and she had to make her SOLO escape on foot... ☆ PREGNANT ☆ and caring for her very young daughter, my mother in law! In her words, "I had to leave our home, everything, with a baby in my arms, a baby in my belly and a RUCKSACK on my back for milk and diapers!" This AMAZING WOMAN had to travel alone before she could be reunited, with the help of the Red Cross, meeting up with her husband in the south of france! Soon afterwards, they continued their terrifying journey to make the crossing to Algeria, quite possibly on one of the last ships leaving the country for an African destination.

In Bonne, Algeria near the border of Tunisia, they moved in with cousins and though his grandfather took on horribly demeaning jobs to make ends meet (grave digger & more), they barely had barely enough to eat. Another troubling story I have been told was when Margot's mother Alice (a Le Cordon Blue graduate who was employed as a chef by the author, Edna Ferber in NYC) sent them a shipment of basic food and necessessities. When the authorities destroyed the packages upon inspection, the family was forced to separate the dried beans and peas from the powdered soap by hand! A story that has been told and retold over 6 decades to her descendants!

It feels good to write about it here; to be able to release some of the pain and who knows how many untold stories, out into the world... to set it free as she has been sent home to her Creator <3>

Less than 20 years after they arrived, her husband died of heart disease/high blood pressure at the age 58. Happily, my husband was 12 years old and can still treasure MANY wonderful memories of his loving grandfather. Margot was often known to repeat "he was the TRUE LOVE of my life!"

While writing tonight, I asked my husband to recall some of his childhood memories and he just said "I was very close to my grandfather who loved to take me places and I often spent the night with them. Family gatherings revolved around food & cooking! This was central to the 4 women: my mother, my aunt, my grandmother and my great-grandmother who were always in the kitchen... for hours, preparing fine French dishes. Of course, this was followed by hours spent around the dining room table EATING!" He said, "I remember that my grandmother loved showing me off when out to dinner for my birthday because the waiters were impressed by my menu selections." He was under the age of 10!

I have to close these stories of family memories, food and love, by saying that as I was typing, my husband was IN THE KITCHEN cooking an incredibly delicious shrimp scampi for dinner! It's in the genes ~ lucky me!

Many joys and a long, rich life followed. Tonight we are saying a prayer for this family's deep loss. Kiss someone you love tonight ~ we are all only here for a short while XO

A Family's Pride for "Our" WWII Veteran

2010-10-13T13:06:00.008-04:00

A little background history on naval aviation in the US:

By the end of WWI, Naval Aviation had firmly established itself as a premier fighting force for our country. At this time, approximately 100 pilots were being trained each month. As the nation entered into WWII, Naval Aviation and Pensacola was again called upon to produce the much needed flight crews to support the war effort. Naval Aviator production grew to over 1000 pilots a month and the Navy's aircraft inventory swelled to over 130,000 aircraft and during 1944, NAS Pensacola trained an all time high of 12,010 pilots that year. It is said that the War in the Pacific was largely won by the heroic actions of Naval Aviators aboard the carriers that wages war both at sea and during the island campaigns supporting the Marines and Army ground forces.

His story:

After college, my father joined the Navy and waited to be called. Upon graduation from Springfield College, with a degree in Phys.Ed., he returned to his hometown in New Jersey and taught the same while coaching Basketball. I recently learned that during this same time, in addition to teaching and coaching, he also travelled the short distance to Philadelphia and was a dance instructor (in his spare time) for Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

When dad was called up, he was selected for Naval Air Primary Flight Training Command, studying long and hard over the next 9 months, to become a pilot. He studied at some of the top universities on the east coast and was eternally grateful for what he called, "a million dollar education!"

Following several months deliberation, it was determined that dad's graduating class would not be needed for active duty, as our military successes increased and there was no longer a need to replace our downed pilots. My father would become a (fighter plane) Flight Instructor. Having gotten his wings, my parents could now go forward with their plans to be married. What a relief my mother must've experienced to learn her new husband would remain stateside and they could live off-base together!

... and they lived happily ever after, married for almost 60 years - xo

My 1st Booth Pics

2010-09-21T18:29:00.002-04:00

Updated Display

2010-09-18T02:57:00.012-04:00

Please refer to June 12 post, as a reference. Or, better yet, scroll down past Twitter, to just beneath my photo (tags) and click on "display."

Table one. Found a nice, tall "T Bar" for $5.00 at a store closing, that will hold 24" chains.

Rotating display rack was a Thrift Shop find for $3. Handmade earring cards finally allow me to eliminate those DREADED dangling price tags!! YUCK!

Table two at the very posh

Linda Rich Salon, 32 Church St, New Milford, CT

April in Boston

2010-08-28T03:40:00.005-04:00

"stately" beacon hill, boston MA
Originally uploaded by cookievf

The first of four trips this year, April 2010 clearly rates as one of the TOP FIVE ALL TIME (out of 50) trips to this fine city in the last 15 years!

Following any day game, no matter what the weather, it's a tradition to walk from fenway park to dinner in the north end by way of our favorite martini bar! That afternoon we decided to take a new route through kenmore square, down comm ave through the neighborhoods of back bay and beacon hill across the top of the commons and on through faneuil hall to hanover street.

We had to slow our pace to take in all the history and fine architecture, courtyards in bloom and vintage facades that surrounded us on this rainy day under a leaden, overcast sky!

Umbrellas or not, the air was crisp and fresh, the walk and the company invigorating and the lighting perfect for my photo shoot. Truly memorable!

Ice Cold and Dee-lish!

And don't forget to look down!

Creating a Brand...

2010-08-11T23:28:00.008-04:00

New Etsy Header

... and hopefully a following!

I'm so lucky to have a very dear friend like Michelle, who is a brand consultant & marketing and social media strategist ~ giving me advice these days! Check out her website here.

In addition to stressing the importance of daily "tweets" (check it), she has always stressed the importance of "continuity" as I began to market my handmade jewelry business (she even had a hand in sparking the flame by gifting me with some of her amazing beads & gemstones last fall!) This aspect has had me completely STUMPED for 6 months and I feel as though I've finally had a breakthrough.

The problem. What to name my business:

- email: cookievf
- flickr: cookievf

- twitter: cookievf

- ebay: vickstress (not selling there)
- etsy: vickstress for continuity.. 4 YRS AGO, when i was just a b-u-y-e-r!
- blog: beautyofthegarden

Ever the goal:

Create a clear message
Convey accurate representation
Convey the need for your product/service - or make it beautiful and impossible to resist =D
Convey QUALITY
Make it easy to remember, so potential customers can find you!

The solution:

As I am still in the very early stages, I've decided NOT to give the business a name, therefore avoiding having to create a new etsy shop & set up a special FB page, etc... I have decided to simply use my given name. Sounds easy, but "WHEW!" what a relief now that the decision process is finally over.

For continuity sake, I added my name to my flickr account and created a business card ands etsy header with a similar theme. It's a beginning! Now I am making earring cards to better display my jewelry and working on blog ideas....... gotta run!

New Business Card

Hipstamatic.. my 1st choice for "grunge"

2010-08-06T14:44:00.005-04:00

Hipstamatic is an iphone app that came on the scene with great fanfare, in late 2009 that's described as "digital photography turned analog."

There are a CRAZY number of combinations to choose from with interchangeable lens, flash and film which, i have to say, is so UP MY ALLEY as I've had a life-long love affair with anything old, vintage, retro, faded, rusty, broken & chipped!

It didn't take very long to see just how popular this app has quickly become with flickr groups, websites and contests popping up everywhere!

The Big Hipstamatic Show monthly contest
Official Hipstamatic website
Official Hipstamatic TWITTER
Hipstamatic FLICKR (60,254 items)
365 Days Hipstamatic FLICKR (1,207 items)
Hipstamatic NYC FLICKR (793 items)

Well, you get the idea!

Being keenly aware of the grunge-y, gritty effects available with Hipstamatic, I just HAD to take a few pics when I noticed we were standing in a "warehouse" surrounded by beer kegs and brewing equipment. Actually, the brewmaster took the first one =D

Monthly Trip to Captain Lawrence Brewery, Pleasantville, NY
Originally uploaded by cookievf

Turning Vintage Trading Cards Into Jewelry

2010-07-21T11:14:00.012-04:00

Repurpose! An upcycled game piece becomes wearable art by taking an image from my ephemera collection and resizing it to fit a creamy, 2" x 1" Crisloid domino (2" x 1").

These days I use Microsoft Office Word 2007 for basic cropping and to bump up the contrast, which saturates colors very nicely. No fancy software required. Another no-cost option is using flickr's Picnik program or my own image editing software from my scanner.

I typically start by cropping out any unnecessary portions such as text, etc. Once printed, I simply cut around the gold, decorative edge, attached it to a domino with acrylic gloss medium, coated it with same for protection and added a tiny bright red swarovski crystal for added sparkle. In the final step, I attached a silver plated bail with jeweler's cement and, voila! ... a pretty necklace with a colorful ad from the 1880's. My kind of "bling" =D

"Wild Iris" Domino Pendant

2010-07-18T14:40:00.003-04:00

Partial description from Etsy...

"Iris, most beautiful flower, Symbol of life, love, and light.."

Vintage botanical image enhanced with text from my 1919 copy of Webster's Condensed Dictionary and a tiny, swarovski crystal. It is suspended from a sterling silver bail and comes with a FREE 24" dainty, ball chain.

FLOWER SYMBOLISM: faith, wisdom, friendship and hope. The iris is the emblem of both France and Florence, Italy. The fleur-de-lis, one of the most well-known of all symbols, is derived from the shape of the iris flower.

Custom Pendants: Strong Women To Inspire You

2010-07-17T16:25:00.006-04:00

Excerpted from my new Etsy listing:

"Fearless! We are ALL Goddess, Angel, Friend, Heroine, Artist, Dancer and sometimes even Fashion Icon! Choose from 13 gorgeous images of strong women, handpicked from my collection with words to inspire.

✢ VINTAGE COLLAGE PENDANTS ✢ MAGNETS ✢ KEYCHAIN

There are several ways to customize:

IMAGE - Take your pick from my "Dare To Dream" collection by simply selecting number 1-14 (it will be a high resolution version, unlike the version shown here)

ITEM - Decide if you'd like her on a domino pendant, magnet or keychain.

YOUR WORD/MY WORD/NO WORD - Any way you like it! I can use my words, yours or none at all.

Buy with confidence! A paper artist for over 15 years, I have amassed a large collection of vintage ephemera and graphic images spending hundreds of hours carefully scanning, digitally enhancing, printing, cutting, working with ink, adhesives, and embellishments. I am very excited to share these new items with you in my etsy shop.

✢ Pendants have a silver plated bail. Chain is extra
✢ Magnets are Neodymium/Rare Earth and are Super strong!
✢ Keychains use a sturdy ring.

Summer Workspace ~

2010-07-16T13:36:00.007-04:00

Here is a SMALL PORTION, approximately 25%, of my "summer" workspace on our screened porch. Showing only one corner.. I am spread out over the entire table!! And it's all packed up in time for dinner =D

A little peek at a WIP: "Moon Goddess"

Here are a few of my latest creations (available on Etsy) and since all are one-of-a-kind, when they're gone... they're GONE!

...thanks for stopping by!!!!

flickr picnik fan

2010-06-30T15:03:00.007-04:00

"BEFORE" Dull, washed out and somewhat flat. Doesn't showcase the rich colors and natural beauty of a favorite beach scene in Ocean City, NJ. Frankly, I liked it until I saw it tweaked on flickr today!

"AFTER" bright, contrast adjusted, sharpened, color punched up slightly to show pink hotel. Better, overall and WAY faster for my simple purposes than to launch and dig into PSE!

A few more examples of what keeps me up at night!

My father, age 16

My mother, circa 1960's

100 year old photo FOUND!

2010-06-20T16:39:00.006-04:00

Happily digging through a "new" box of my dad's photographs and things, I unearthed another very special TREASURE! A large (9" x 5.5") Atlantic City Boardwalk souvenir frame around a beautiful, silver gelatin photo postcard of my

paternal grandmother.

If I'm correct, and Julia Kelly Cook is in her late teens or early twenties, then the date would be about 1910.

"J.A. Walk Studios"
Boardwalk ----- 834 Arch St
Atlantic City ----- Philadelphia

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T13:37:00.014-04:00

My father was a very special man.

Born 1920 in Brooklyn, NY, John "Jack" Charles Farquhar grew up in Gloucester and Haddonfield, New Jersey. His parents were well-respected in the community and founding members of the methodist church. They were second and third generation immigrants from Scotland and from Germany and those ancestors, like so many, worked their fingers to the bone to ensure that the successive generations THRIVED! For that I am eternally greatful.

In my father's family there was a shoemaker, a seamstress and several business owners: Philadelphia - a few butchers, a whiskey distillery, a textile dye house, a weaving mill for paisley scarves both here and in glasgow, scotland. New Jersey: a bakery in gloucester city, NJ, a grocery store and even a mayor, Samuel T. Murphy, who was also a member of the New Jersey State House of Assembly, Camden County in 1877. (my father's father's mother's father!)

My father was the middle child of five and quickly became a favorite son and brother with his sweet, easy-going nature. A much beloved child, he was filled with confidence and an extremely positive outlook which he maintained throughout the course of his lifetime, spanning 85 years. In addition to his great physical beauty, I can assure you, everyone who came in contact with him sensed his INNER beauty as well!

Dad was a star scout in the Boy Scouts, an accomplished gymnast, baseball and football player, popular with his classmates and voted Class President in his senior year at Haddonfield High School at the tender age of 16!

During the depression years, his parents scraped and saved so that he could attend Springfield College, MA as a Physical Education major. Dad was captain of the (exhibition) gym team, travelling extensively throughout the east coast performing highly stylized routines with a Triple Balance team and the team as a whole. Thanks to his "pack rat" nature, I have his scrapbook from college, his 16 year old Diary, dance cards, post cards along with BOXES of photos and have developed a clear picture of my father as a young man, of which I am extremely proud.

To understand why I have hesitated to write anything in any great detail about my father's life before today, take a look at this list of his interests/accomplishments:

knot tying, astronomy, camping, tree identification, gardening, growing roses, gymnastics, cub/boy scouts, acrobatics, senior HS class president, editor of HS/Camp/Church newspaper, cartoonist, crossword puzzle design, wordsmith, limericks, cloud patterns, Springfield College NEAAU - Tumbling Champion with a silver medal in 1941 and a gold medal in 1939, pilot, flight instructor, squaredance caller, dance instructor, lettered in both HS and college sports, camp counselor, circus acrobat, captain of college gym team, HS basketball coach, ballroom dancer, jazz aficionado, educational jazz radio show host (with parkinson's disease in his late 70's), competition badminton player, senior olympic SILVER MEDALIST (with parkinson's disease in his mid 70's), emcee, learned to ski at age 60, ski instructor to my brother and I (at age 61), spun records for college parties, jazz piano, big band jazz, classical music, "night course" teacher of Jazz Appreciation, son, friend, brother, father, husband, uncle, grandfather...

More pictures and stories to follow!

~ end of Part I ~

hiking near his home in VT with ever-present camera bag

Local shop display

2010-06-12T07:33:00.007-04:00

Have another Sneek Peek of what will be filling my etsy shop (currently closed & undergoing maintenance until 6/16/10)!

Over 40 one-of-a-kind earrings

Vintage and contemporary artisan necklaces

Glass pendants

Upcycled domino pendants in two sizes

Custom photo items for you or someone you love! I specialize vintage restoration. If you have a treasured memory, I would love to put it into a necklace for you... or create a set of magnets, keychain, charm bracelet, bookmark. Pets are extremely popular!

"Bella" - a custom photo pendant WIP:

web store excitement

2010-06-03T02:30:00.006-04:00

The last few months I have been so busy making pendants, altered dominoes, magnets, earrings, necklaces... the list goes on! I have SO many pretty things still to list on vickstress.etsy.com and I hope you will take a moment to click the link on the right.

Any and all feedback is welcome and I do hope you will BOOKMARK it and peek in, now and again! "There's always something fresh, here, in the beauty of the garden!"

Offerings will include:

Photography
Artisan OOAK Jewelry
Altered * Pendants * Magnet Sets * Bookmarks
Rusty Bits <-
Vintage Items
ART!!

... and I have my 2nd country flea market on saturday so I must wait until Sunday to list any more items. Wish me luck!!

I've been told...

2010-06-02T13:35:00.006-04:00

....that I am a very sentimental person and, I suppose, that is why so many posts are reminiscences! Today is no exception!

June 2, 1945 my parents were married SIXTY YEARS AGO today. Even though my dad passed away in 2005, I still call my mom to let her know that I'm thinking of her and have told her I will always celebrate this day in my heart, forever!

They left quite a legacy of love that I'm blessed to be a part of.

In memory of my father

2010-05-16T20:42:00.010-04:00

I am thrilled to announce the official re-opening of my etsy shoppe, Beauty Of The Garden. It really is a full-circle moment for me and something that's been in the planning stages for many months! ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿ The forget-me-not theme is a deliberate "nod" to my father, who passed away five years ago. A few months after that, a lovely little patch of these flowers appeared and I knew in an instant that it was a sign from him. We were so close throughout the many ups and downs that are a part of life and I will always feel his love and support for all of my creative ventures in photography, handmade jewelry and mixed media collage. I count my blessings both to have had such a special relationship for five decades and to know that he continues to watch over me.

"I love you, dad!"

adoption day!

2010-05-04T14:56:00.003-04:00

adoption day
Originally uploaded by cookievf

As I write this post, these little guys are already 3+ weeks in their new home! Let me start from the beginning...

Saturday, April 10. What a fateful day! 2 weeks prior our precious Satch had passed away and we were donating some of his special high protein food to our favorite charity, Kent Kats, a local spay/neuter assistance & shelter.

And look who was waiting for us? YOU just try and resist!

This 7-month-old sibling pair, "Charlie" and his sister "Suki" were initially feral, then adopted and then given away to the shelter due to allergies (and problems with their Jack Russell). I am so proud and happy to say that we are their THIRD AND FINAL HOME! Welcome home, kids! A Wonderful Life is waiting for you here!

Seven Keys to an Artful Life

2010-05-02T23:38:00.003-04:00

"sunbeam just for me" - by vicki cook

move your body daily, joyfully

nurture your precious spirit-self

practice loving self-care

find your authentic livelihood

create a tranquil home

tap into abundant creativity

cultivate healthy relationships

special book = special course

2010-04-12T17:46:00.006-04:00

Over the weekend I signed up for Juliana Coles' first online "extreme journalism" course, titled ALTERED STATES. More info is available on her website! The initial cost, being her first, is only $50 for 3-months of access to the artist, discussion group, PDF, audio, video and more!

First step: find a book!

I purchased a vintage record collection "book" (circa late 40's) at a tag sale about a year ago for a few bucks, never IMAGINING I would be guided by Juliana through the altering process!! I'm excited that the cover has torn off so I can work on that in lesson #2! So far I've cut 10 manilla folders in half, deciding to sandwich each sleeve with them leaving the top open for use as pockets. And I've taken the book apart and removed cardboard spacers, only to put them back into use... who knows!

There are sleeves that hold ten 33rpm records and an Index listing a mix of artists. What I got were 10 Perry Como EP or extended play singles, so someone already "personalized" their collection to be different from the original. Kind of cool, since that is what I plan to do ~ make this my own!

Wouldn't it be a great tie-in to incorporate some of the lyrics from the records?

"I hear your haunting theme
And I begin to dream"

"Each tender note you play
Will be my serenade"

Can't wait to jump right in!

Most Recent ATCs Are Loaded With DIIMENSION!

2010-04-12T01:16:00.005-04:00

Posting cards I made a few months ago ~
Personal Collection and possibly Etsy.

~ follow up post ~

2010-04-07T13:26:00.010-04:00

Last year, 17 artists participated with me in this artezine board book swap with Christine Shebroe as the hostess. You can view the swap in its entirety here.

It was WAY BACK in July 2009, that I posted a few steps here to illustrate the WIP on the cover. I always meant to share the rest of my pages and I guess, better late than never! As with any first attempt, i still recall my inner critic was in "over-drive" and, in the end, I produced something I was very happy with! Moral of the story??? ... SILENCE that pesky inner critic and you will be surprised to see what lovely things can happen!

blessed by a life of love

2010-03-31T11:27:00.009-04:00

.................................... these are recent pics ...........................

Our house is alot emptier these days since our precious 18 year old "SATCHie" crossed the Rainbow Bridge 3 days ago, on Sunday. Finally free from the Diabetes that kept him on a 12-hour insulin shot schedule for 5+ years, we know that he is young again, rolling in catnip, scratching his post and chasing fuzzy mouse toys with Sam. "Have fun little Chi-Chi.. We will be there to see you as soon as our time comes!"

We honor his passing the same way we did with his brother, Sam (3/11/92-2/4/06) by making a shrine that includes photos + a candle and participating each monday in the Candle Ceremony for pet loss.

The ceremony began online in 1993 and spread internationally in just 2 weeks (time zone chart below)! And although we can light our candles privately and in our own way, by lighting them at the same time we are all joined in spirit to share this common love and healing.

The ceremony encompasses not only the newly bereaved but those remembering beloved pets from long ago as well as animals with special needs, those who are sick or suffering as well as other pet OWNERS who are going through this difficult time.

Excerpt from the original website "When a human loved one dies, a prescribed ritual provides a cushion between the loss and the return to "normal" life. When the loved one is a furbeing, society provides no means of closure. For many of us the Candle Ceremony has brought peace, acceptance and the hope of eternal reunion someday in that place 'just this side of Heaven' we call Rainbow Bridge." - Marion Hale.

Mark your calendar and join us, won't you?

Candle lighting times are...

In USA:
10 PM Eastern
9 PM Central
8 PM Mountain
7 PM Pacific
6 PM Alaska
5 PM Hawaii

In South America:
Sao Paulo - 11 pm
Chile - 10 pm

In Europe, Asia & The South Pacific:
Central Europe - 2:00 AM GMT Tuesday
London - 3 am Tuesday
Poland - 4 am Tuesday
Madrid / Paris - 4 am Tuesday
Egypt - 4 am Tuesday
Moscow - 6 am Tuesday
Australia (West Coast, Perth) - 10 am Tuesday
Tokyo, Japan - 11 am
Australia (East Coast, Sydney) - 12 noon

2010-03-02T18:02:00.002-05:00

I am back to more scanning/restoration of treasured family and ancestor pics. here's one from yesterday..

Treasure found! - I always WISHED I could find a pic of my parents dancing, and surprise! Both of them were "clear-the-floor" ballroom dancers in their day. An accomplished gymnast, Dad taught dance at sumer camp in Maine when he was only 19 years old. He also taught square dancing in the philadelphia area throughout my childhood. Mom, 86, recently told me there was NO WAY she was going to marry a man who couldn't dance ~ and boy, did he have the moves!! ♥

Reigniting A Love Of Hand Tools

2010-02-22T13:12:00.020-05:00

chain nose pliers ca. 1980

If I were to share an interesting fact about myself it would be that I was once a cardholding member of the "Sheet Metal Workers" union!

At 22, I was living at home, working P/T and going to school P/T when my father changed jobs. We moved to another part of the state at the same time the country was in a major recession and I wasn't able to find work. The earliest unemployment records in the U.S. only date back to the early 1984 when 2.1 million young people (26% of 16-24 yr olds) were economically inactive. I can attest that it was a DIRE situation in the late 70's as well!

By registering at the State Employment/Unemployment Office I qualified for a government subsidized work/training program, called CETA, and began a lucrative 6-year career in the field of electronics. The position required that I pass a 2-week/80-hour Government Certification course in soldering and, after several weeks, I found that I was enjoying myself! My company did alot of government contract work and at the time we supplied electronic sub-assemblies to be used in missle radar and life support systems... no cold solder joints allowed!

After about a year I was laid off and registered with a "technical" Temp Agency. I wore many hats over the next several years in addition to soldering. I did wire harness assembly, benchwork, point-to-point wiring, ran a bench press, punch press, coil winding machine, learned flash welding and my ultimate fave:
soldering under a microscope (in the field of microelectronics). There you have it!

It has been a thrill to return to my trusty old chain nose pliers ~ and maybe try my hand at soldering again :D

be inspired

2010-01-18T14:55:00.013-05:00

be inspired! Originally uploaded by cookievf

Have you noticed?

There is such an amazing array of talent on flickr.com! Please take a moment, click on the uploaded "photo mosaic" I've created to

view all of the stunning details in a larger format
find 18 individual links to learn more about some of these amazing artists!!

I promise you'll be inspired to
make something beautiful today.

1. Conscious Freedom, 2. Willkommen Oktober, 3. sparse. one, 4. Angel Of Grief, 5. White Building, 6. Stacking rings, 7. Untitled, 8. Glass and green, 9. monday worries, 10. Shortbread with Pistachio, 11. Bench Monday - Hibernate, 12. ..., 13.WINTER BOKEH 1, 14. White Ceramic Star Decorations, 15. antique chandelier, 16. ashberry, 17. Kitchen moment, 18. Where Angels Nest

Notice: Although FLICKR is a photo-sharing website, please realize it is by no means my intention to offend anyone. Please leave a COMMENT on FLICKR if you would like me to remove your picture and I will not hesitate to do so!

change of pace ~ can't help myself

2010-01-13T16:10:00.004-05:00

I really miss getting dirty with my inks n paints... but something has come over me and working with wire and hand tools has been a refreshing change of pace. Taking hundreds of photos in my travels as always. I've also been hiking and snowshoeing with old and new friends (3x last week) I'll post a few highlights soon!

Ecclectic Jewelry

2010-01-02T13:54:00.006-05:00

I have the opportunity to sell jewelry at my best friend's salon, located just 1/2 block from the green in our beautiful Village Center. There she displays 4-5 collections from local artisans ranging from larger scale fine art photography, blank photo greeting cards and a variety of handmade jewelry. I'm still working out a few of the creative details, such as

what style I'd like to focus on (or NOT since I have ecclectic taste!)
packaging
pricing
buying additional supplies

Most likely I will be offering a combination of styles using steel, silver, crystal & semiprecious stones as well as incorporating collage (no pics yet) in charm bracelets and pendants.

Moon Blue

2010-01-02T12:36:00.005-05:00

pic taken Dac 31, 2010

"Moon blue, rivers of love you shine,

Bathe me in light sublime

Flood me with all your glowing heart can give

Moon blue, memories bind like chains

When will you come again

I wait in darkness just for your bright to beam.."

- Stevie Wonder Lyrics (songwriter N/A)

2009-12-31T15:00:00.004-05:00

DECIDE that each day will be a good day and that you'll be in a good mood.

That's right, you can decide.

DECIDE that you'll sing, smile, laugh and dance more often.

DECIDE to make this a rewarding year filled with things and people you love.

Some of my happiest holiday memories:

HAPPY 2010 TO YOU!

Merry Christmas 2009!

2009-12-29T23:08:00.020-05:00

Here are some images to share from our low-key celebration this year.. as we filled our hearts with the true meaning of Christmas and our love for each other!

It all begins with the TREE!

MWAH!

(next year's christmas card!)

Red velvet cake with (green) butter-cream-cheese icing!

Can you taste the bourbon sauce swimming at the bottom of the plate and the cheesy goodness of mom's "Potluck Potatoes?"

Every year we pose wearing the crowns from our English Christmas Crackers.

Our first holiday bird and christmas dinner SINCE 1992!

Wouldn't be complete without mom's cole slaw!

Battenburg lace + brown Alfred Meakin Staffordshire "Fair Winds"

joy.

Above pic and the next 2 are from the "road trip" I took to get mom, Mon/Tue before Christmas.

2009-12-15T16:18:00.002-05:00

" determination"

"anoush"

"two chickadees"

METHAPHOR - Brooklyn Bridge

2009-11-23T21:57:00.003-05:00

"going home" final
Originally uploaded by cookievf

(Orig photo here.) Another assignment from this month's "Point & Shoot Journaling" class. We were instructed to go out and take as many photos as we can, shooting everything that appeals to our eye! Then, in hindsight, to locate a photograph that represented a METAPHOR for something else that was going on in our lives.

I had SUCH A STRONG PULL to use this photo taken in September, that I postponed the "go out and shoot" aspect for another day.

Backstory: The SECOND I began my trek across this engineering marvel, an overwhelming feeling swept over me that I had been here before & that I had come home. And it's not a NEW feeling for me in this great city. As for so many of us, a place can hold special meaning with no obvious explanation.

I don't question it for A SECOND.

It was a day that I'd been waiting for all my life!

- Some of things I used on my photo were tissue paper, oil pastels, white gesso, ZIG .5mm waterproof marker.

New ATCs

2009-11-15T23:53:00.004-05:00

Some items used: vintage map, Platinum Stickles, old book text, making memories Mesh Brads (star), silver snowflake charm, vintage photo and printed computer image, Distress Ink, oil pastels and alcohol inks.

Update: LK Ludwig

2009-11-10T14:17:00.005-05:00

Archive Assignment #1: Resonate

My first 2 pages from the October "Point & Shoot Journaling" e-class.

More info here.

treasures found!

2009-11-06T00:17:00.005-05:00

Willis and Julia

Joseph E. Farquhar

The Samuel T. Murphy family

Julia Cook

Julia and Friends

Anna and Charles

Happy Haunting!

2009-10-31T01:28:00.003-04:00

I hope you scare up a little fun tonight!!

"When you hear the owls hooting,

Get your jack o' lantern out,

Put on your shroud and hurry,

For ghosts should be about."

"Enchanted Spirit" ATC

How I created the background: First I started with a heavy cardstock blank, to which I added a layer of acrylic paint mixed with glaze. This was to create a glossy "base" for alcohol ink application (red, yellow & copper). Final glaze was with Glitter Modge Podge before adhering image (some free vintage images here) printed from computer, matted word (DooDads by Tim Holtz) and mini bottlecap (like this) with UTEE (by Ranger Ink) and gold embossing powder. Edged with black Sharpie.

awakening

2009-10-28T01:13:00.006-04:00

59th - my valhalla
Originally uploaded by cookievf

Subtle light play,

an overcast day.

Mist adds to the mystery;

the imagery.

In the soft, low light ~

shimmering silver

on wisps of foam.

: : EVERYTHING : :

looks and feels so right.

Right here.

Right now.

I am alive & awake!

Stretching Myself

2009-10-25T10:32:00.009-04:00

For October, I am signed up for the first month of LK Ludwig's (online) POINT AND SHOOT journaling class. In the past I'd visited her blog and became even more intrigued when I purchased her book "True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling." Then you can imagine my reaction when I learned that she would be teaching an e-course!

LK is offering 31 days of inspirational techniqes, instruction and prompts. There are over 80 members signed up for the 1st month who hail from all over the globe. Here's a small sampling:

- longmont, colorado, usa
- georgia, usa
- winchester, england
- seatlle, wash, usa
- esperance, western australia
- portland, oregon, usa
- somewhere in belgium
- southern california, usa
- montreal, canada
- frederick, maryland, usa
- Brussels, Belgium
- idaho falls, idaho, usa
- erie, pennsylvanis, usa
- altamont, new york, usa
- lethbridge, alberta, canada
- near wellington, new zealand
- london, england

As I begin to dig down into the THOUSANDS of images I have stored on my computer, my teacher says I will be revisitng "notes from my super-creative, subconscious self." We will be adding our own thoughts & experiences as well as quotations & poems plus painting, scratching, coloring and who-knows-what!

So far, I am extremely pleased with the content of this course and highly recommend it. And I promise - pics and W-I-P to follow!

Suzi Inspired!! MWAH!!

2009-10-19T12:31:00.006-04:00

Anxious to try my hand at original art, I created this 4x4 with one of a few small pen sketches I did recently on a Post-it pad. I was inspired after watching Suzi Blu's workshop video for "The Goddess & The Poet" ~ (thanks, my friend!)

I JUST GOTTA TAKE THIS CLASS! For $55.00 you can sign up for it here.

adopt don't shop

2009-09-18T23:59:00.004-04:00

"The greatness of a nation

and its moral progress can be judged

by the way its animals are treated."

- Gandhi

Today is Puppy Mill Awareness Day! If you live near any of the locations, listed below, please attend one of these important events. This organization's goal is to provide a voice for the thousands of dogs that remain in puppy mills around the country that are waiting for a hero. While public awareness has drastically increased over the past few years there's still a long way to go!!

Today we can all help by celebrating and supporting rescue, adopting a shelter or puppy mill dog and do our part to increase awareness to the cruelty within the mills.

ENGLAND
Leeds

IRELAND
Dublin

UNITED STATES

COLORADO

Littleton, CO
FLORIDA
Royal Palm Beach, FL
ILLINOIS
Champaign, IL
MASSACHUSETTS

Medfield, MA
Salem, MA
MICHIGAN

Westland, MI
PENNSYLVANIA
Lansdale, PA

Important Links:

awareness day
petfinder
best friends animal society
last chance for animals
ban puppy mills
rescue ink - "Rescue Ink Unleashed " - a new series. Friday, 09/25/09 - 10:00 p.m. - National Geographic Channel

Etsy Shop Update

2009-09-14T16:08:00.005-04:00

My Shop "beauty of the garden"
Seller "vickstress"

I've just added a link to my Etsy shop. It is small and growing so be sure to click now and take a peek. You can either check here for updates or click on "follow this feed" at the bottom of my shop! Here are some items I will be listing ~

PAPER ART:
- ACEO originals,
- OOAK blank greeting cards,
- squared art,
- larger format mixed media collage,
- mixed media collage prints mounted on thick, creamy (blank) greeting cards

SUPPLIES:
Destashing cherished bits from my personal collection such as
-carte de visite
-cab cards
-maps
-mat board
-postcards
-old books & book pages
-vintage magazines
-vintage photo postcards
-square and shaped board books
as well as other treasures for altering/mixed media collage and bookmaking.

Vintage flea market finds from rural New England, such as
-gorgeous rusty & brass bits
-escutcheons
-keys
-art deco goddesses

AND SO MUCH MORE!

feed the soul ~ plan it!

2009-09-06T15:36:00.004-04:00

dream come true!
Originally uploaded by cookievf

It felt wonderful to be able take one off my "bucket list" yesterday!

I have wanted to take this trip for what seems like a lifetime and it came about SPONTANEOUSLY!

Walking across this 120 year old engineering marvel was truly My American Dream Come True!

At 54, I realize more than EVER how important it is to honor:
- my past
- all that I AM
- and all that I NEED TO BE

count down to ART

2009-08-31T22:19:00.005-04:00

TECH SUPPORT & END USER

April 2009 "Beerworks" BOSTON

Being without a computer has been trying, to say the least! I have been so busy making art that I hope you will remember to check back in with me over the next 1-2 weeks! I'm closer to being able to scan all of my new projects (for sharing here) but we're just not there yet.

The tale begins with absolute elation over a recent decision to back up our computers. Thankfully I was able to salvage 99% of my photography and all of my art before my PC d-i-e-d about 5-6 weeks ago!!! We bought an external mass storage device or external hard drive for around $180 at our local office supply store. Something I highly recommend. There are 2 versions, USB or Network and Network, though costing almost 50% more, is much faster.

Resuscitating my July photo shoot in Portland Maine continues to be a challenge, but I haven't given up. Everything else is coming along slowly but surely, as we purchased a "bare bones" package for around $400. My new Intel Pentium 2.8 GHz Dual Core is screaming fast, compared to what I had before and has enough storage space (300 GB) for my massive photo collection and scanned artwork.

This turned out to be a great deal but has required extreme patience on my part. For example, my camera has been maxed out for about 2-3 weeks and I can't offload (or TAKE ANY MORE PICTURES) until the software's been installed. This is because my husband asked me to prioritize the workload so I carefully weighed the importance of each application & feature and he's spreading out the various installations over several weekends. When your husband works in IT, or really any type of high-stress job, downtime is precious. Just as it is to me! He spends his in the recording studio downstairs in "the cave" and I spend mine in my "cave" or Art Room. (That is when we're not watching past episodes of "24" or Red Sox Games!) So, he's been able to dedicate a couple hours a week to the project and it's not over yet.

Norton antivirus: (8/22/09) ~ completed but with major issues, delays
Web access, email, etc: (8/22/09)
Printer: (8/23/09) ~ completed but SOME issues, delays
MAXTOR access to my archived photos and art
Speakers: (8/27/09) ~ completed but SOME issues, purchase required
Replacing the CORRECT version of Microsoft Office: check (8/28/09) ~ completed but yes, more major issues, patch had to be researched online & worked! WHEW!
UPDATE: Fuji FinePix Digital Camera: (9/4/09) ~ offloaded 300+ pics, took 290 more on 9/5/09 trip to brooklyn bridge.

INSTALLATIONS STILL TO COME:

Camera (done)
Scanner
Photshop Elements 6.0
"Old" C: drive with vacation photos

~ In the meantime, I am getting my hands dirty and staying busy! ~

sad but true!

2009-08-10T14:30:00.008-04:00

... Shhhhh! Don't tell the boss! I am posting from work because MY PC HAS BEEN DOWN FOR 3 WEEKS!

Ever-anxious to share my art, tips and techniques, photos from my adventuresand to remain in touch with so many lovely friends in this online community..

I will be posting again soon, estimating just after this weekend, or around August 18! Please be sure to check back ~ we've got alot of catching up to do!!!

July trip to Portland, Maine

come on in!

day one in my side garden

2009-07-12T02:31:00.009-04:00

"Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime."

~William Shakespeare

For my sweet, precious mother. You are a TREASURE and we love you so much. Happy 86th Birthday!
soft gel txr image, heat embossed handmade frame.

HEALTH UPDATE: mom was diagnosed with rectal cancer in may. Her CT Scan, Laproscopic Ultrasound, a physical exam, and soooo many prayers, indicated she is one of the lucky few that did NOT require either a colostomy, chemo or radiation! On June 11 she was scheduled to have "SAME DAY SURGERY" in her home state of Vermont with approximately 4 weeks needed to heal while she stayed with me in CT until she could sit and/or drive comfortably.

She was kept overnight for observation, most likely due to her age and physical condition as well as the face down positioning for surgery. Mom was discharged the very next day...... back at our house it was a different story.

Unbeknownst to us, she began to develop "aspirational pneumonia" that first night and around 9Am the next day, we called her surgeon followed by 911 and got her right back into a different hospital in a different state! She had fantastic care, throughout the 13 days she spent in the hospital and while regaining her strength at the Rehab Center. She is back in her home in Vermont and has just been cleared by her doctor to drive... only one month after surgery.

I have all of the faith in the world that she will be completely back to her former self in the next few weeks and, no doubt, begin contemplating the 3 annual trips we take (when we can) to the south jersey shore in September, to her next Boston red sox game and this time we're planning on seeing The Cloisters in our annual mother-daughter trip to NYC!

Thank you again to all of our family and friends for your steadfast love & support and for all of your prayers, flowers and good wishes. We truly appreciate you and know how important a support system is to health, healing and general well-being! Added to that I had a friend that was travelling to her family home in Brazil for her brother's wedding right before mom's surgery. She was able to include a special blessing for our mother in Basilica of Bom Jesus Lord Iguapea. She brought back 2 prayer ribbons from this amazing church that has been recognized, for several hundred years, as a location for religious pilgrimage. "Eunice, you touched our hearts! - xox"

So, please schedule a colonoscopy today if you are 50 or older and consult your doctor to schedule one sooner if polyps run in your family because ~ PREVENTATIVE medicine ~ saves ~ lives! ~

Parades, Picnics & Pyrotechnics

2009-07-04T09:09:00.010-04:00

Early morning on the 4th of July, my brother and I would race through breakfast to decorate our bicycles on the back patio with red-white-and-blue crepe paper. We'd tape little flags to our handlebars and, for sound effects, attach a pair of playing cards to the spokes of our front and back wheels with WOODEN CLOTHESPINS!

1962 - ages 10 & 7

We couldn't wait to ride at the back of our tiny (pop. 5,000) hometown parade down "main street!" Our parents and all of the neighbors would bring folding chairs, sit at the top of our street and wave excitedly as we rode by. What a festive sight ~ I can still hear the fire engines!

Anytown, USA

Afterwards, the entire town would follow the parade to the park for hot dogs, soda and all the fixins. A band would be playing, lots of laughter and good times as we eagerly anticipated family gatherings followed by FIREWORKS!

Back at home, mom & dad would begin to pack the car as we grabbed our suits to meet up with friends at the pool and yes, you guessed it, later we'd have a picnic spread out in the grass.

And the BEST PART: driving to Philadelphia with a box of sparklers, taking the long walk to the schoolgrounds with thousands of others to eat ice cream and watch the pyrotechnics!

Happy Birthday, America!

Altered Book Swap Part 2... step-by-step

2009-07-02T13:36:00.013-04:00

I have always been considered someone who loves detail! It has helped me in my work, my relationships AND in my art as well. Add to that an inquisitive mind and you will understand exactly why I love TECHNIQUES and the ever-popular WORK-IN-PROGRESS, or WIP, from either point of view. I enjoy documenting them myself ... even in the garden... and reading about them too!

The best part was finding a book to alter with a die-cut cover!

"Belly Button Book"
- by Sandra Boynton

The very first step (not shown), as with all board books, is to sand each page lightly to remove the finish. This will give it "tooth" so they can accept paint.

Naturally, as this was my very f.i.r.s.t. altered board book, I tried to stop whenever possible - grab my camera - and set up for a photo. Here are most of the steps I used to create the front cover:

I grabbed a few magazines and cut several images and collaged the cover so there would be some added dimension once I attached the next layer.

Next I crumpled several torn pieces of pink, orange and red tissue paper adhering them with decoupage medium. This is an easy technique that's alot of fun because you simply smoosh the tissue in random peaks and valleys. Once it dries completely, the effect is very pretty!

A sturdy punch was used to make a hole in the cover. Next, I added a copper eyelet so I could attach a "dangle-y" at some point! Use your imagination to add ribbons, cording, leather, beads, a section of chain, charms, a tiny photo, a stamped tag, fibers or even fabric. No limits!

My favorite technique is any type of image transfer and I knew instantly that it should be a strong visual to entice you to open the book. Not only did I find one that appealed to me, but oddly it was framed inside of a perfect circle. The decision had been made for me!

Using soft gel medium, I applied several layers in opposite directions, drying between each layer. At this point, it doesn't matter if you cut it out before or after the process. Some people may prefer a "margin" to hold on to while rubbing.

This time I worked on top of my non-stick craft sheet but mostly I spread open a catalog and just flip the pages as they get dirty. R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, R-E-U-S-E!!

Every mixed media artist needs a squirt bottle that has a fine spray. It's wonderful to use with alcohol inks, but that's a future post.

Some transfer mediums instruct you to immerse the item in a bowl of water for 10 minutes, which I tried, but didn't make much difference here. This method is trial and error and you will find a way that works best for you. I simply spray and rub the paper from the back, slowly and repeatedly many, many, MANY times... the result is more than worth the effort, as you will see when you do it. This view is the reverse side, partially completed. TIP: I always print at least 2 images just in case I tear one in the process!! I lost some of the color here and had to begin again.

Perfect!

To make the "dangle-y" I wove some unwaxed linen cording, used for bookmaking, through the eyelet, strung a few beads and attached a metal rimmed paper tag. Next I covered the back with strips of copper foil used for soldering and flattened with a bone folder.

For the front of the tag, I layered 2 white paper flowers, cut a green flower for the leaves, added a swarovski crystal for the center and finished with a few embellishments using my gel pen.

I highlighted the inside rim of the circle and also surrounded it with dots using a gold paint pen. The dots are outlined with a black permanent marker and, as much as I wanted to add a title, I stopped here deciding "less is more!"

Click for a link to see all 17 books in the art-e-zine Altered Board Book Swap!

More WIP pages to follow...