It seems like I've been out of the loop for the last week. Things have slowed down and have been keeping to myself at home. Doesn't make for interesting blogging material...
The Chicklet did a report about pink flamingos in 1st grade. Maybe she liked them because they're PINK. Anyhoo, she still has a thing for pink flamingos. I was tickled pink to find the flamingo bag and towel at JoAnn's last week. On sale to boot! She's been enjoying them all week.
I was blog surfing and came across the little dress form figurine's on
Judy B's blog. The Chicklet and I made our way to Merchant's Square in Chandler hoping to find them. We did!
I've done a lot of catching up on reading and I came across an article in Phoenix Magazine spotlighting Old Downtown Chandler. It was HOT but we made our way down there to check it out.
Excuse the fuzziness, the Chicklet had fun taking pictures of these ostriches that were up and down the street. We spotted about 5 of them each painted/decorated with a different theme.
We got there after 5pm so some of the stores were closed. We could only oogle and drool outside of this place. Next time we'll have to stay and eat at one of the new restaurants there but it was my b-day and it's becoming tradition to celebrate at the Cheese Cake Factory. Our dinner was yummy and the cheese cake, oh, my mouth is watering at the thought.
It was time to get started on a new journal this week. I pulled this one out of my stash of composition books. The colors remind me of sherbert so it seemed a good one for summer. It's been fun altering the last ones and I wanted to change this one too but I didn't want to hide the original design.
The spine is covered with a scrap of Creative Imagination scrapbook paper. It started out with green pattern on a white background but I rubbed lime green oil pastel over the whole piece with a tinge of orange on the edges.
Orange with white polka dot tissue paper was glued over the bottom part of the cover. I used the wavy design as a guide to cut the shape. Black fine and medium point Sharpie poster paint markers were used to outline the wavy lines over the tissue and to draw the dots. Large flower brads are against the green and their centers were also colored with the poster paint Sharpies. Wasn't sure the marker would work on the metal but it did.
I gessoed and painted some tag board for a pocket page in Angela's book. I made more than I needed so I'd have some scraps for other projects. The oval is cut from those leftovers. I rummaged through my rubber stamps and found a "healthy" variety of "Journal" stamps which were layered on the pink oval.
I usually make four holes to run an elastic cord through and knotting it on the inside cover for the pen holder. Not too fond of the lumpy knot which is the reason the inside covers started getting altered. This time I tried something different by making only one hole at each end and pulling an elastic pony tail holder through. It holds the pen just fine but it may be harder to pull it in and out. The jury is still out as to whether this is an improvement or not.
The back cover was kept simple with only a layer of tissue and outlines drawn. I was up til 3:30am on Wed. night playing with this book. Made collages on the inside covers and pocket pages but my photograghes didn't do them justice. Poor lighting. I'll try again and share those later.
This is evidence that I'm still on my metal tape kick. This is my ATC for a "My Birthday" themed swap with the gal pals. The star design is created using laser cut KI Memories papers under a layer of metal tape. Red and brown alcohol and india inks were used to color the distressed surface. Found the flags on tooth picks, cut them off and sprayed them with walnut ink. "Flag Day," (my birthday), was stamped into metal tape, colored with denim blue alcohol ink and attached with copper brads. I am realleeeeeeeeeee pleased with these.
Took a class with Carole Wingert in Gilbert today and taking another class in Glendale tomorrow. Oh good, something to blog this week!
Marissa
Before the holidays seem too far in the distant past, I'd thought I share some more pics of our wanderings around the Valley of the Sun over Winter Break. Off to the East Valley we went. That would be any town east of Phoenix... First stop-Scottsdale and the famous horse fountain. Someone told me it was one of the most photographed spots in all of Arizona. Who knew?
The horses were all dolled up with their holiday wreathes. The Chicklet had her companions with her as she played with the water and wet some horse snout.
I was happy to try and take pictures of the water.
Of course we didn't just visit the horse fountain. We had to stop by and visit Debbie at Frenzy Stamper and wish her a Happy New year! The fountain is right outside her door.
Next stop-Downtown Chandler. Every year they put up a tumble weed Christmas Tree. Every year I've missed it. It was on my list this year. I've been curious. What does a tree made of tumbleweeds look like?
Add a lot of sprayed white paint and glitter and ta da! Had I not known the tree was made from tumbleweeds, I wouldn't have had a clue! they barely look like the flying creatures I've had to dodge on the freeway during high winds.
So, of course we needed a little bite to keep our energy up. We came by this bakery last summer but it was closed so we were looking forward to freshly made cupcakes. We loved this white cupcake tree.
Aren't these gorgeous? Strawberry for me and chocolate for the Chicklet, mmmmmmm!!!!
Going...
going...
gone!
We don't get much of a sense of Autumn here so it was nice to see rows of trees changing color. There were still puddles left from the rain. Fallen leaves, textured concrete and water made for instant compositions.
Best of all? We were happy campers. Monkeys, flamingos, mom and Chicklet. Next stop-Mesa. I'll save Mesa for another post.
