Money Saving Tips and Tricks I Use In My Art Creations

I have a couple tips and tricks that I like and use frequently to help me conserve money while creating art...

1.  I use old magazines that I've gone through and pulled out everything of interest. Instead of tossing them I use them as my workspace pallet especially when I'm gluing or using the double sided tape... I can have a clean working space after using each corner of each page... then I just turn the page and I have another clean surface... it saves time and keeps my art clean and fresh.  

2.  For painting, I use inexpensive paper-plates as my pallet... seems more economical, especially when I find them at garage sales or on sale, they are normally cheaper than the throw-away pallets. When I'm done with them I let them dry, then I cut up and use in my art, I can get a couple ATC's or tabs, or I cut specific shapes out to use in my art. 

3.  For my drawing surface, I use a white card stock or cut up cereal boxes so one I can check colors of pens/pencils/markers or paint as I go, I can write out a word to check spelling or design before applying to my piece so I make less mistakes...  then when it's full I cut them up to use as backgrounds of my ATC's, or for a larger art piece. 

4.  I bake a lot, so I discovered a use for the plastic container included with each 3 pack of Crisco shortening sticks (meant to keep your shortening sticks fresher) for my homemade glue mixture... I take different glues depending on what I'm working on and mix with water to thin. Each package also contains a cover. it will keep even longer if I put in a zip-lock bag in- between use.

5.  I recycle almost every piece of mail I get... if it doesn't need to be saved, I cut it up and use in my art projects, all the way down to the envelope, I love the different designs that each country or company has...  I use the stamps or postmarks in my art, I save the return address in my yearly address book so I have accurate addresses for all my art friends... I use postcards for ATC's or I create art around/over them and send to my art friends, I cut up all the interesting pictures to use in my collage art, I even use flyer's or heavy advertising pages for making homemade envelopes to mail or use in my art journal.

 6.  I also make home made tape to use in my art by using double sided tape onto tissue paper, wrapping paper, old bags that I like, fabric, or anything else I like and tape can be applied to... it saves from buy expensive tapes, plus I can make as little of it or a lot.... brightens up my journals and is easy to work with...

I hope some of my tips work for you.... have fun, create, play, and recycle in the new year!

{{{{{Love & Hugs}}}}

♥Everyone♥

A Nautical Craft Challenge Hosted by May Art's Ribbon

Here is my latest creation...

A Victorian Seaport Themed Journal

Inspired by our beautiful little seaport town of Port Townsend, WA. 

Recently, I entered into a challenged hosted by May Art's Ribbon, 

I was one of their selected 20 participants chosen to partake in the challenge.

We were giving the opportunity to submit a project design, 

they selected their top 20 ideas to participate, mine was one of the lucky ones selected.

My idea was to create a hand crafted journal with a Victorian Seaport theme.

Living in the quaint town of Port Townsend, WA;  I have many inspirations to draw from 

 with all the Victorian Queen Ann  style vintage homes that surround our small little community, along with the surrounding boat harbors and havens (places where boats are put to rest, or get restored) that house some of the most amazing wooden boats I've ever seen in real life; then there's an abundance of  antique shops, old fashioned restaurants and malt shops, traditional bakeries and cheese shops nestled in the most incredible and amazing early 1800's Architectural masterpieces...  Living here is an artist's dream. 

I love incorporating little parts of all our little gems into a multimedia collage, 

choosing to do a journal was fun and exciting. 

The hardest part I had was limiting myself to a ten page spread.

 I enjoy utilizing all elements from my surrounds, re-purposing found treasures found at local thrift shops or the many garage sales and estate sales you'll find each weekend throughout the year. 

I especially love all the old papers, maps, and ephemera (pronounced... e·phem·er·a which is a class of collectible items not originally intended to last for more than a short time, 

such as tickets, posters, postcards, labels, etc... ),  You just never know what treasures you'll find tucked away here in Port Townsend.... It's bound to spark your creative juices flowing and set you off on a creative adventure for sure!

I see art and inspiration in everything...  highlighting May Art's beautiful ribbons was easy.

We were given the choice of 4 ribbons from the 7 offered. 

I chose the red and white  Solid Stripes 365-2-14;, 

the blue and white  Solid with Diagonal Stripes 424-18-03;

the gold Metallic Chain Cord 348-14-30;

and the navy blue Grosgrain with Satin Edge 376-1-03; 

 

 Other May Arts Ribbon Used:  Burlap Cord SP10; Twill QN14; Woven Chevron Stripes 443-58-01

I was lucky enough to have several May Art's ribbons in my small collection shown below.

Our only parameters for the challenge were that it had to be a nautical theme, 

and we had to use the ribbon's sent to us in the project, I used all of mine and then some!

Here is a video I've produced showcasing my latest creation... 

I hope you enjoy it!

My Valentine For you

 

I have dedicated my blog to Art, Heart, and Healing so I felt this was worthy...

My Valentine to all of you! 

One of my friends posted a link on Facebook about the importance of water in our life... after reading it I decided it was time to come clean and share what I've learned and what's been helping me and my son regain our lives... I wish someone would have shared this with me 12 years ago...

 

We just don't realize how important water is in our life and to our survival on so many different levels. Without it we die... I know some people don't hardly drink water, and others would like you to believe that this is fake or a hoax... But for me this is very true! After having a heart attack last October 4th (yes I kept it a secret from FB friends, I was embarrassed and didn't want to upset everyone's holidays) I had given up any hope of ever getting better or having any quality of life. I had continued to get sicker by the month even though I tried to hid it. My Crohn's disease was out of control. The migraines were unbearable, the rash all over my body wouldn't go away, nor did they know why or how to fix it. My meds were at an all time high and medical appointments were ruling my day. Then I was introduced to Enagic in December after praying for some sort of miracle or answers...
 

I started Drinking Kangen Alkaline Water December 1, 2012 and for the second time in 12 years I felt like I was getting my life back. I had changed my diet last January 2012 eating Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live life style, but it wasn't enough for me. Sure I lost a lot of weight, but after the heart attack, depression and more meds, I started to gain it back.
 

Just in the past two months that I've been drinking Kangen Water I have seen incredible results... My blood pressure has dropped, inflammation markers are reduced, rash and bleeding is gone, migraines almost gone (only 1 last month), weight (dropped 10 lbs. without exercise), Energy level has doubled. Med's are decreasing daily, going from 28 med's down to 6 in less than 6 weeks. They are moving my chemo back out from 4 weeks to 6 and I'm hoping to be off the Remicade by the end of year if all keeps going as is (a girl can dream can't she...lol). This is something I never would have imagined, I was told I'd be on it for the rest of my life. For the first time in 12 years I have hope...

All I can go by are the results I'm seeing in my own body, health, and medical tests. Along with the results of my oldest son who is also drinking Kangen Water following a major surgery and stint in ICU over the holidays. For those of you who know me and my oldest son have seen our struggles and seen our life deteriorating due to having crohn's disease. It affected all aspects of our life. If I had known that the only thing we needed to change was our water intake and the type of water we were drinking, God only knows where we'd be now... But there is no better day then today to start changing or healing your life...

All I know is that I want to be around for my three amazing son's and daughter-in-laws, I want to see and meet my future grandkids grow up someday (OK, maybe I'm being presumptuous on this one and jumping the gun, again, a girl can dream...lol.) I do know that I want to experience all the things on my to-do list... I want to enjoy a life with my husband we've dreamed about... I'm not ready to quit looking for options that are right for me... to throw in the towel an die.

This is just too big of a secret not to pass along to those I cherish and love... Kangen Water is changing mine and my family's life, it can change yours too! If you want to hear more, send me an email, call or check out Kangen Quam h2o
 

And no I'm not a distributor, although after seeing how well Kangen Water has done for me and my oldest son,  my boy's  have now decided to make helping others their mission...

I encourage you to see just how Kangen works. After seeing this demo, we tried it our selves and everything worked and was the same if not better... Not only is the water good for you, it does so many other things to help you save money and eliminate the chemicals in your life.

 

Here is another video, it was life changing for me... I never realized just how I was destroying my body, intestines, and life... This video is about Dr. Hiromi Shinya

 

 Hiromi Shinya, MD is well known as the developer of the field of colonoscopic surgery (the Shinya Technique). He performed the first non-invasive colon surgery. Using his own invention of the colonoscope, he discovered the ability to both examine and operate on the colon without abdominal incision.

Dr. Shinya is Clinical Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein Collage of Medicine and Chief of the Endoscopy Unit of Beth Israel Hospital in New York, as well as an advisor for Maeda Hospital and Hanzomon Gastrointestinal Clinic in Japan. A native of Japan, Dr. Shinya received his medical education both in Japan and in the United States.

Dr. Shinya, now past 70, continues an active daily practice of medicine, spending half of each year in New York City and the other half in Tokyo. He is Japan's most famous doctor and treats members of Japan's royal family and top government officials. His practice in the United States also includes celebrities and Presidents. He is Vice Chairman of the Japanese Medical Association in the USA, and much in demand as a speaker internationally.

The Enzyme Factor is the first book in English by this major international medical expert, is based on his Japanese bestseller How to Live Long and Never Be Sick, which has sold over two million copies since its publication in 2006. [source: Enagic®]

Dr. Shinya, recommends Kangen Water® in his books 'The Enzyme Factor' and the more recent, 'The Microbe Factor'.

"Kangen Water is alkaline rich water (ph 8-9), and is considered the very best drinking water because of its incomparable powers of hydration, detoxification, and anti-oxidation." ~Dr. Hiromi Shinya

 

 

 ~♥~

Love Mail

~Healing Through Art~

A fellow artist friend of mine Catt Geller who belongs to one of my art groups Wild Soul Art's (hosted by Effy Wild) sent out a request for Happy Mail a few days ago. 

Here is her story....

Hi there! I'm Catt Geller, artist and graduate of Shiloh Sophia's Color Of Woman method. I have been gifted with a mash up of Effy's Art Journaling and Shiloh's Color of Woman Method that I provide to recovering addicts as a tool to assist women in their long term recovery.

Currently I volunteer in one non-profit recovery center in Southern California once a week. There is an average of 10 to 18 women each week. The results have been amazing. Their muses are awake. And as you know, all muses need to be fed each week. Since the recovery center is non-profit there is very little money for supplies. We are using crayons and colored pencils.

The challenge has been how to feed these muses each week with new material and 

then I thought of last year's very successful Happy Mail project.
So, I'm wondering if you would be interested in sending Happy Mail to me to take into the recovery center each week. Ephemera, any bits or bobs you don't need any more. Also, if you have supplies you don't use any more, such as Reeves oil pastels, because you have upgraded them, 

I would love to have them as well.

I've decided I'm not going to open up the packages and just take them in to the center where the women can have the excitement of opening them up.
I appreciate your willingness to even consider my request and thank you all in advance.

My address is 13560 Collie Court, Moreno Valley, CA 92555.

~Again, thank you all so very much!~

To help out in my small way, I just mailed a box of Fun Mail to Catt Geller.  

Healing Through Art has been my lifeline through my illness, I truly do not know where I'd be if I didn't have art in my life... If your able to help Catt out, or maybe just mail a card of encouragement, I'm sure all would be greatly appreciated! I love getting fun mail... it truly makes my heart sing!

~♥~

V Day Is Near

Valentines day is right around the corner...

Here's a peek at some "Heart Cards" I've made

~ Enjoy~

Every Day Is Heart Day

This Weeks "Heart" Finds

Found on North Beach in Port Townsend, Washington

 

How many do you see? I couldn't believe I found all of these in one place...

~With much Love~

Chel Marie

Famous Woman In History Featuring Maya Angelou

January 2013 Post Card Swap Featuring 

Maya Angelou

I belong to a wonderful Ning group called 

There's A Little Goddess In All Of Us

It's an inspiring group of ladies from around the world,

 a place to find goddesses, art, poetry, friendships and discussion.

I joined the monthly postcard swap a couple years ago to discover myself and as a way to heal through art. It was during a time in my life when I was home-bound due to my illness. 

Spending many hours at home and in bed left me longing for a sense of community and purpose.

I was very depressed, sad, and lonely; I'd spend most of my sleepless nights scavenging the net

for inspiration, friendship and a sense of belonging. I found it in an art chat room.

I had met Carol and a few of the other ladies in an on line art class called Art Heart and Healing

It was a free on line class which I used as a form of therapy.

There I was inspired to dig deep into my creative self and learn new techniques I never knew existed,

all the while of healing through the process of art.

 

The woman I've met in both of these Ning groups are filled with love, compassion and inspiration. 

Carol, our fearless hostess of the postcard swap shakes our world with a new topic every month.

We are encouraged to interpret each artist as we like, utilizing any medium to express our take on each topic.

I view each month as challenges to help me find my creative style and grow as an artist.

Each challenge teaches me new techniques as I learn about the featured artist.

Last year, the theme was famous artist. Each having a wide array of styles, most were new to me,

like: Di Grazia, Basquiat, Amedeo Modiglian and Freda.

Carol has opened my eyes and creative world. 

inspiring me to learned more about myself as an artist and refined my techniques as a result.

Each month a new topic is announced, I research and learn everything I can about it. It helps me to learn how they created their particular technique, form and style.

Some are more challenging then others, some take me several days to complete, some I whip off in no time; Each push my boundaries and are unique in their own way, becoming near and dear to my heart. 

Joining There's A Little Goddess In All Of Us  has been a true blessing.

Every month I receive little treasures in the mail from all walks of life, I call these fun mail. 

Is there anything more exciting  then receiving a handmade postcard from other artistes around the world... 

I think not! It makes opening the mail fun again...

Here is my take on our January's  "Famous Woman" postcard swap, 

I hope you'll find as much inspirations in my creations as I did in Maya's life's work.

 I decided to do a multimedia collage for 3 of my cards and a drawing for the last one.

For the 3 collage cards, I used magazines cuttings, watercolor paints, 

markers, napkins, and quotes from Maya Angelou.

I always like to draw the featured artist as my tribute to them. 

I used an ultra-fine Sharpe pen and markers.

Come check us out, I'm sure you'll enjoy our group as much as I do...

Until next time....love, hugs and many blessings to each of you!

XOXOXOXOX

Finding My Heart

Finding My Heart Is Easy, 

Love Is Everywhere I Look

 On a Beach...

 In the Sky...

Have you ever gone out for a walk on the beach or in the woods and notice that everywhere you look there's a heart waiting to be found?  I seem to see hearts in everything...

Maybe it's that I look for the good in every aspect of my life so seeing the hearts comes natural. 

Here's one  nestled in the rocks...

On a path...

OK... This one is more like a butterfly, but it still warms the heart...

 In the garden...

In the moss...

 

In my art room...

Here are some I've found on the beach and painted... 

Ready to be put back out into the world, 

Abandoned....

 This one was a gift from one of my dear friends,

She carried it back from her beach walk,

calling me to tell me she had found my heart...

It must weigh 15 pounds

It's 9" wide, 8" long and 7" thick.

This is my heart rock stash for my future heart rock garden...

say that three times fast...lol...

 

Some of my heart shaped sea glass I've found on the beach..

Another collection of my favorites...

One of my collage's

 and two hearts my husband found for me

He gives me one every year for my birthday...

 This was last years birthday gift, it's one of my faves...

Jade

Another I've collaged with all positive words, verses, and phrases...

Hearts are everywhere, you just have to open your eyes, 

be one with your surroundings...  

Send me your heart pictures or stories, I'd love to see or hear all about them!

 

~Enjoy~

♫¸.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫¸.•*¨*•♫.·♫•*¨*•. ¸¸(¯`♥´¯).•*¨*•♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.  .•*¨*•♫`·.¸.·•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•♫•*¨*•.♫.•*¨*•..•*¨*•.♫`·.¸.·♫•*¨*•. .•*¨*•♫