Storms

I am fascinated by weather and storms. In 2011 I am planning a trip to Tornado Alley to go with a professional storm chaser to learn about following tornadoes and hopefully get some on film. I know that these storms can ruin lives and although I wrestle with this fact, I also realize that storms are a natural occurrence and we as human beings sometimes get in the way of nature. Lately I have been filming the storms in our area with my handy, dandy Flip video. The software lets me capture snapshots off the video footage. These images are lightning lighting up the sky out of my second story apartment bedroom.

Autumn Abundance

I have been a terrible blogger here. I feel so bad about it. I was in Germany for a month so it made it almost impossible for me to get to a computer, let along blog :(. I had a lovely time there and am thankful for it. There were a lot of preparations going on before that, so I found myself not being able to have the time to share. So here is a card I recently made for one of my assignments at Papertrey Ink. I used copic markers to color this image. I love coloring with copic markers. They are the best tool on the planet for coloring in my opinion. It is nice to be back! Hope you like the card!

A Doll for My Daughter

I haven't made any dolls in years, and so it was really quite gratifying to make one for one of my daughters who just left for her freshman year at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia! The pictures aren't the best but it's of a mom and her baby. more pictures and story on my blog www.artypantz.blogspot.com

New Set Up

This was my set up for the Crafts for a Cause event this past Sunday. It was the first time displaying my bags by hanging them on the canopy frame. They were heavy and pulled on the frame so I ended up throwing the canopy on (which, unfortunately I don't have a picture of). This was supposed to be an indoor event but since it was so nice out a bunch of us decided to set up outside.

Custom Luna Moth Wings

Just finished this delightful pair of wings for a wonderful lady in Canada to wear to Faeriecon this year. Luna moths actually have reddish-purple veins, but this one was customized to be navy blue to match her dress.

Beads + Wire

My Diary

Picasso said "My work is like a diary and it is even dated like a diary." I have had a lot of stress lately in my life and I have been feeling very unsettled in my own skin. The only thing that seems to calm me down and keeps me focused is sketching. In my sketchbook I can tell the times when I am stressed and relaxed. Just like writing in a diary and reading excerpts, I can look at my sketches and tell you what I was feeling. Here are a few sketches that I created this past week.

"My Heart's a Flutter" Martini Glass

Just finishing up this hot pink cutie that will be up for sale at the Sept. 9 art expo / happy hour =) It's adorned with glass beads with a funky swirly paper decoupaged to the bottom. I'm sealing it with several coats of non-toxic varnish to make it a hand-washable party piece.
Cheers :)

new digital collages

I've been super busy working on some new digital collages for an upcoming show. While I've been working at 8x10 size for years, I've recently decided I need to do some larger prints as well, so these are designed to be 16x20. Also trying new things with incorporating scans of my paper collages, and also painting/drawing more with my graphics tablet. See more here: http://jenmccleary.com/2009/08/new-digital-collages-august-2009/

(Edited to add:) I'll be showing these at this event next week! http://www.phillyfunguide.com/event/detail/54491

Orange You Glad You Stopped By?

I've been away from Philly Makes! for most of the summer, but if you recall my previous posts you’ll remember I love gardening. For my houseplants I’m partial to exotic flowers and succulents, outside I like to grow edibles. In my tiny yard I have an assortment of heirloom tomatoes and vegetables, over thirty herbs, figs, grapes and calamondins, a variety of miniature oranges that are similar to kumquats. The fruits are small, around the size of a ping-pong ball, and have a sweet rind with a sour inside.

I’ve had the calamondin tree shown in the photo at right for over ten years; it’s almost four feet tall and lives in the yard from April through October, then comes inside for the winter. It produces gloriously scented blossoms and fruit year-round, although every few years it takes a rest.

I made the tart in the photo above using this recipe from Epicurious.com. The top is covered with candied calamondins and the filling is made with ricotta, sour cream and toasted fennel. It was my first time making this recipe so I followed it exactly and used sugar, but next time I’ll make it my way and substitute honey or agave. I served it chilled and garnished with leaves from my tree and of course a pun: “Orange you glad you stopped by?”.

Vacation outfits

This has got to be the most busiest summer of my life.
But thankfully, vacation rounded the corner, and since we were going to Maine, at the last minute I decided that my two boys needed fabulous vacation pants. Red and white striped seersucker with coordinating trim. Drawstring. Pockets on the front for the older boy, on the side for the younger. The older boy got lobsters on his Tshirt (fusible applique. my favorite cheat ever). The younger, a crab. Totally themey. *grin* Loved it!





--Jeannette

Craft Closet Clean Up

Inspired by the orderliness of this moma exhibit, I decided to take a stab at reorganizing my craft closet. I cut away any pieces of fabric that had previously been cut, forming rectangles of fabric, folding them and bundling them. I think this will be much less distracting to work with. Did the same for my paper - cut away anything confidential or irrelevant, then bundled them up into bags for collage.

Drawing

I am in the middle of moving and my apartment has no room right now to really do any art. So I have been sketching since that is contained. I have recently discovered how much I love pen, ink and marker. So while my days can be crazy walking into boxes and trying to keep everything organized my sketchbook helps me to relax and go into my own little world!

Some Photo Work

I thought I'd share with you some of my photography work.  These are pictures I shot last month of my cousin's triplets.  You can see more at my blog, but I didn't want to clog up this post with too many images.  

Enjoy!

goodmarvin

www.melissanannenphotography.blogspot.com

Kimchi!

Kimchi is a traditional korean food made from various pickled/fermented vegetables. The most common variety is made from cabbage, so that's what I made for my inaugural kimchi attempt. It was quite easy to make. I haven't tried it yet because it had to sit out at room temperature for 48 hours, and it is now sitting in the fridge for 4 days before it should be eaten.



There are more photos and a link to the recipe on my site!

Doodles

When I get really stressed and need to relax, I need my journal more then ever. I recently found the pen and ink drawings and paintings of Yellena James and I have been totally inspired. I drew these images last night based on some of her work. I was totally relaxed after drawing. Check out her work here.

Tree of Life Necklace

I keep feeling that fall is looking over my shoulder and that I better catch the last of summer while I can. So this tree of life pendant, replete with bird, looks like a good way to hold to summer and anticipate fall.

Custom Strapless Fairy Wings

Just finished these gorgeous wings for a custom order. This fairy is going to pair these wings with an exquisite teal gown for her Halloween costume this year.

Mosaic in Progress

Working on a butterfly mosaic key hang....Hoping to get the grout in there and finish it this week.

A Photo Journey: Hiking up Mount Battie

Here are a few pics from my recent excursion through the woods of Maine...

Electric Blue Barrette

Now that I have shorter hair, I've been into making my own fun barrettes and hair accessories =) I embossed this metal heart into a piece of tin and adorned it with a little chrystal and some funky fabric, then attached it to a metal hair clip. I love them so much, I've been keeping them for myself....but I'm sure eventually I'll put some up for sale on Etsy.

Thomas Girl Clutch

So, I've been watching a lot of the first season of Mad Men while sewing lately, and was also wondering what to do with some great flannel wool fabric my aunt gave me last month while cleaning out her house.  Voila!  A clutch that is both inspired by my aunt and mother (their maiden name was Thomas) and Peggy Olson's mousy character from Mad Men.  It's practical, has pockets (yay!), and is made from recycled and vintage material.  Hopefully, it will spark inspiration for a whole new sensible line of clutches.

xoxo

goodmarvin

www.goodmarvin.etsy.com

Philadelphia Zoo

Went to the Philadelphia Zoo last week for the first time in years. I can't even remember the last time I was there. I had a fantastic time taking images of the animals. What a great place to photograph and sketch. I am going to create a book of all the animal images I created. I could stand and watch the Gorillas all day. They are amazing, intelligent animals. If you get the chance go to the zoo! Remember you admission goes to the upkeep and the care of the animals!