My Birds

You might remember that I showed this cardinal nest in an earlier post. The nest was all ready and this little lady waited until the time and weather was right before laying.

Last Thursday evening I took a stroll around to the various nests and nest boxes and low and behold she had made three beautiful eggs.

Yesterday I went out to take a look-see....just hatched. Aren't they ugly-beautiful? I will check this afternoon to see if the other two eggs hatch. You never know but she is attentive. I can see her from my kitchen window.

Early January, Tim and GP(grandpa), my DH (dear husband), made new bluebird nest boxes. The old boxes were falling apart. Of course the sweet little chickadees appreciate the same accommodations as the blue birds. This was taken last Thursday and Tim reports that we have babies. I promised that we would take pictures this afternoon.

This is a mud swallow nest that is on my front porch. It is up high and I can't look down into it because there is no head space. I can just aim the camera into it. Surprise! They come every year and I'm not really happy of their location-location-location. However, we agree to disagree about that and let them stay. I do draw the line though when the choose directly above the door. I remove it and insist that they take their second choice. I have learned they will.

This is bluebird eggs and last Thursday there were two. DH reports that now there are five.
Updates on all and...

More later,

Sharon

"Book of Me" Workshop

And this is "Me"..... but the book was not to be about me. It was to be about them. But you know how that it. I tried very hard to impart the experience of playing ART without any expectation of the end result. You know, listen to your Muse (norah's mine) and not your "doubtful Debbie" that sits on your shoulder or in your head. So, if their finished altered book turns out not to be about them....they "got it". Likewise, if their "Book of Me" does turn out to be about them....they "got it". Now how cool is that? I set myself up as a successful teacher no matter what.

We had our own little Art Party and I think everyone enjoyed the day. I know I really learned a lot. I won't go into that part as I just want to show a little and tell a little for now.

This is my beautiful Daughter and most wonderful assistant. She took the workshop too. It was a surprise to some there that she had never made an altered book before.

Here is the group as we get started. Notice the tables are relatively clear. We had nine taking the workshop. My granddaughter popped in and is standing in the back.

Cindy (front left) was one of the lucky ones of the day, She won a little door prize. Then Carolynn who has made many altered books that I wish you could see and Susan and Terri.

Celia's not here yet.........that's her spot.

Celia made it just a little late but boy of boy it didn't take her long to catch up. Notice the tables are beginning to look more like my workspace. Things closing in on you. I love that because your Muse is there processing and telling you what to do next. She really can't be as helpful if it is not all right out there.

This is my extraordinaire friend Susan who gives me so much support and confidence and friendship. You know my friend Susan who has more toys than me...and you. She put together the most wonderful little ephemera and paper packets for us to buy. We had our own little vendor table too. Maybe I can share that little packet in another post.

Here is Judy and Nancy. The smile on their faces tell it all. I can't wait to see their finished book.

And my Buddy, Terri. We do lots of things together. Like sew and build playgrounds. Not sure what she is telling me here. I bet it was good though.
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To Celebrate "ME" and my first workshop I had a special door prize. Each packet included a "How Was I?"..."How Did I do?" sheet with just a few little questions to answer and their final exam and assignment was to alter the page with something they had just learned and place the sheet in the white envelope.....and do not alter the envelope. Everyone's page was most excellent.

Gloria was so excited about her day that she altered the envelope. No one knew what I had up my sleeve. So Gloria had to have another envelope. Then we shuffled and reshuffled and mixed them up and up and then Melissa drew for the door prizes. Cindy won the first prize which was a set of fun pens. And guess who won the "She Sac"..................

Gloria won. Here she is checking it out. And my friend Carolynn watching.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your day and playing ART with me. I had a great time...but my feet sure did hurt...this old lady is not use to standing all day.....I know I will have.......

More later,

Sharon

Workshop Packets

I think I'm almost ready for my "Book of Me" Altered Book Workshop tomorrow. So I thought I would do a little show and tell while I take a sit-down break.

I reused some old file folders for my packets. I think they turned out pretty good. They actually still had the old labels on the tabs so I used paint chips folded to cover that. Wall paper on the front and a wall paper pocket on the inside. The pocket on the left is made with an old envelope that I ran through my printer.

Breaks over....it is going to be fun....wish you here....you know I will take pictures...for

More later,

Sharon

More She Sacs

The bag in the middle above is my loaded art-to-go She Bag. (You've already seen it). The two on either side are She Sacs and I shared the fused art pieces Sunday while they were in progress. Aren't they fun? I'm showing front and back of each below. I simply can't seem to get decent pictures.

"She was honest she wanted everything"

"She look thoughtfully
and she said
I'm going to marry"

"She thinks you wouldn't like it"

The She Sacs are faster to make and smaller. Each has a pocket on the front and a pocket on the inside. What do you think? Are you getting tired of seeing these?

More later,

Sharon

She Sac

I finished all four of the She Sacs. They are a mini version of the She Bags that I did for myself and my daughter-in-law.

Will show and tell...

More later,

Sharon

More Shes

This is what I worked on yesterday. More Shes. But these will be a little different. I think I will call these "She Sacs" when finished. I will show you perhaps tomorrow. I'm getting ready for my workshop this weekend.

More later,

Sharon

She.....loved her "she bag"

Here is the birthday girl. My sweet daughter-in-law. We had such a great birthday celebration yesterday at her Mom's and Dad's. I enjoyed seeing their brand new home and the dinner was so delish. I loved seeing my wonderful son and there boys.

I showed the beginning of this She Bag Friday. I stayed up until 12:30 to get it finished for gifting. I think she really did love the bag. There is a pencil pocket on this side under the turquoise collage.

This side has a pocket all the way from side-seam to side-seam..again the turquoise forms the pocket.

CRAZY

Hope you are having a Nice Easter. We are actually having our White Christmas here in central Texas. It snowed all day yesterday and there is still some on the ground. It's just a little CRAZY weird. But maybe now I can go put the Christmas stocking hangers away. They were missed and still perch on the edge of the mantle. And the Snowman table runner...I really am going to change that out now with a springyfied one. Susan called my attention to the Scarecrow Welcome plaque hanging at the front door. We never did get any trick or treaters...we live to far off the road I guess. And I really didn't forget that it was there, just busy playing ART. And the flagpole hasn't announced a season yet. It just looks like a stick protruding from the brick.

So, I'm not even going to go look for eggs in the snow. We have lots of bunnys and chickens but who would know around here what the day is.

More later,

Sharon

She........

She tried to be perfect to fit

She knelt on the grass

He smiled at her

She held out her hand

she looked demure

She dreamed

of

strawberry tendrils

in the daytime


More later,

Sharon

Good Friday....Morning

I'm great here but really have nothing artful to show because it is still all in my head. You know how that is. It is getting all scrambled up and I'm having trouble knowing what to do first.

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Well actually, I do know what to do first. That would be to clear a little spot here large enough to actually work on something. I thought I would just show you. You know, if you click on the picture, it should get bigger and you can get a really good look and see. Isn't that fun?

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I'm home today and so happy to have this little holiday. I will be making some things and will share with you. Oh you knew that. I can't help it.

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Tomorrow is my dear daughter-in-law's birthday and we will be going to her mom's for a celebration.

Tomorrow is also one of my dear friend's birthday. I hope to surprise her with something too.

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Hear ye...Hear ye......Announcement!!!!!

Book of Me

Altered Book Workshop

(this little announcement is for anyone in my area that hasn't heard or received and invitation....you know who you are but maybe I don't....because you have been lurking here and I don't even know it .....but LOVE it)

Next Saturday, April 14th

9:00am to 4:00pm

126 Bridge Street

Pre-registration required

for the rest of the scoop

e-mail me at

sktomlinson@gmail.com

or call me

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I'm off now to play ART.

More later,

Sharon

Lady Jane

She whirled her feathers to practice dusting.

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A small handbag with original mixed media painting on muslin. As you can see I didn't embellish the back. The black fabric added on the front is stamped with various circles in white and metallic. Love that.

I finished her yesterday and even balanced a little yard work into the day. With my sidekick, Tim, I cleaned some flower beds. Also trimmed up the crepe myrtle at the corner and cut out the trash hackberry tree that had come up. Oh yes and I moved one Rose of Sharon that had also seeded in the bed I was cleaning.

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I'm off now to balance a little ART into this beautiful day.

More later,

Sharon