Officially Winter?



East yard

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Snow on the crab apples.  Lovely!

Loking west toward the maple woodlot.  Poor pathetic fenced vegetable garden.

 We, here in Michigan, always hold our breath until the snow starts to fall and stays.  Some years it starts snowing the first of November and just keeps going until Spring.  Other times, we don't see snow until Christmas.  I don't really care since I don't have to go anywhere.  I have the woodstove cranked up and it's toasty in here.  I have plenty of food, so I won't starve to death. LOL  And, I can keep busy with my art projects.  I'm posting these scenes for Leslie, since she misses Michigan so much.  Enjoy!

Gingersnap Challenge 127~Livestock

Postcard from the Royal Herd is my Livestock entry in the Gingersnap Challenge 127.  Not only did our farm have cattle, but we had a number of barn cats we considered livestock, thus the Gato stamp..

Check out the Gingersnap Challenge here:  http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/gc127-random-redhead-challenge.html

MailArt~Nov.~Turkey Wrap

Gobble,Gobble.  This month's MailArt theme was Turkey Wrap...turkey dead or alive as long as it was turkey.  The verdict is in.  Another fabulous MailArt swap.
Here's my postcard from Jewels:

So much fun to see the old TV dinners.  And, check out the conversation in the ad.  That would never be enough for my husband to eat  Dad's probably gone to the nearest restaurant or grocery store to get a real meal.  Anyway, very clever!  I know J wanted this theme because she already had an idea of what she would do.

And here's a postcard from Leslie:

I got a big kick out of seeing Freida on a turkey.  A turkey zetti or zetti turkey.  I know Leslie likes to use her gel pens so this was just the chance. Again very clever!



Here's my take: Tortilla package.  On the front a piece of pumpkin pie for the address and silverware

 Inside a lettuce postcard, a turkey postcard, a tomato tag, and a cheese tag.

Back of postcards and tags.

  I had fun putting the cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce on my copier.  I know my weird sense of humor kicked in and I couldn't wait to send the whole package out.  Surprisingly, it went through the mail without a problem. I had my chance to do something totally different.  Who knows what I will send next!







Sunday Postcard Art~Lest We Forget

Sunday Postcard Art~Poppies
I haven't forgotten the veterans.  Thanks go to my uncles, friends, neighbors, classmates, gymmates, co-workers, and my dear husband.  These are just a few of the men and women, in my life, who have served this country.  Here is my postcard art in remembering.

Butterfly Effect

Here is my entry to the Butterfly Effect organized by Two Sisters Studio in Alberta, Canada. My butterfly, torn from stamped paper, looks somewhat like an Eric Carle butterfly. This is a worthy project. There is still time to join. For more details: http://twodressesstudio.blogspot.com/2010/08/butterfly-effect-open-is-calling-you.html

GingerSnap Challenge 125 "Farm Fresh"

"Farm Fresh" is the GingerSnap Challenge 125. My entry is called "Farm Fresh Carrot Gentleman". He is made with transfers, carrot image, veggie images from magazines, lettering cut out from magazines, and some round stamps and stickers from Cavallini & Co..

Which reminds me, I should dig my carrots before the snow covers them andthey can't be found. I'm told my Grandpa put boards over his carrot rows and dug as needed. I think that's the way to go then they will be really fresh. Once a farmer, always a farmer. YUP!

http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/gc125-chestnut-theme-challenge-farm.html

Postcard Swap-Creative Lenna

Can't forget the wonderful postcard swap this summer hosted by Creative Lenna. What lovely postcards were shared with me. I am amazed at each one.
From Jewels in Michigan:

I knew she has been hankering for one of my cards and I just love Auntie Monica. Stamping, transfers, each letter of the message cut out. What a perfect trade. J is part of a little group that I met on Lenna's swap page. We share MailArt each month. I'm so glad we are dear friends.

Leigh, from Spain. Such colorful artwork. I am so inspired by her blog. She is mucho talented and again, I loved the card. I certainly could take some watercolor lessons. LOL She is busy right now designing and creating costumes for Carnival.

Sabine, in Germany: Well, Lenna was pretty sneaky. She knew I admired Sabine's work and I was a Nick Bantock fan. I had no idea Sabine's artwork is on the cover of the new Nick Bantock Tribute book. How wonderful for Sabine! Sabine has an extra special style and I am proud to own one of her postcards. I want to get the Bantock book so Sabine can autograph it for me.

Thank you all for sharing your talent. I really enjoyed the swap. And thank you Lenna.

Until the next swap...

"Spirits Set Free"-Honorable Mention

First Ever Prize

Wah..hooty! Last evening BigF and I attended a lovely reception for "Uncommon: Exploring the Grand Traverse Commons" at Building 50 Grand Traverse Commons. The good news is that my entry, "Spirits Set Free" received an Honorable Mention. How thrilling!Myfriends came to cheer me on...thank you. So, with five juried shows this year, I have an award. Am I asking too much for someone to buy the piece? The other good news is that my friend, Nick who also is at the Wild Raisin Gallery, won third prize. So, anotherWah...hooty!

See the exhibit at Rinaldo Hall November 5-January 1.

It's My Birthday and I can Cry if I Want to...

Beth Ann ~age 4

No tears for me on this day. Yes, it's my birthday, but I'm happy to proclaim it. My God, how many people make it to 66 and have all body parts functioning. Did I mention I had eyelid surgery yesterday, so my eyes are crying somewhat. Now I look like Elizabeth Taylor (when she was young). The stitches look like fake eyelashes.

Seriously, I'm happy, healthy, and blessed. Or as hubby says, breathing in, breathing out. So here's a toast to me and you...peace, hope, and love. Put more fun in your life and do something outrageous everyday..look to this mischievous child for direction.
Hugs...QueenB

Goth MailArt-October

MailArt just keeps getting better and better. I just love the results of our October theme: Goth. Take a peek and you'll see why.

Leslie's postcard:

Love the image which is surrounded by cording. I was happy that it came safely through the mail. When I started reading this obituary, I thought OMG this person was really something...especially the excellent apple pie maker. Little did I know that this was all made up...,oh, that girl (L) has quite the mind. She is the writer of our group. Creating with words is just as much fun as with images. Great job.

Jewels':

Again,OMG! Barnabus from Dark Shadows. I haven't thought about this show for ages. When I was in college, we would rush next door, they had a TV, and watch this show. We never missed it no matter how much homework we had. We were hooked! Move over zombie movies and Twilight. This was first. Check out the back~
Even a cool address label. Here's a better view: And inside was one of my favorite Halloween witch images~
Love it! Love it!

Can't forget my Mona Goes Goth postcards:

More fun than a gaggle of gargoyles. I can't wait for the mail to come each time and I'm honored to be a part of such a creative group. I think you will agree. Until the next time: Turkey Wrap...whaahaaha!