Restoration ..........................

As most of you know, I'm a flea-market junkie and just love browsing around looking for gems to alter or incorporate in my art work. My found elements use does not exclude home decor :) If someone asked me what my decorating fashion is in my home, I would have to say "shabby chic eclectic". :)

My husband and I used to do a lot of antiquing until we ran out of room in our modest home. But; I continue to add little touches here and there from what I find at the shops or flea markets.

The first picture, here, is of an antique print that I fell in love with at a flea market that I attended with some special friends during the summer. The print of the roses is from 1892 which automatically drew me in. The only thing is, it was so delicate and even touching it, the paper would start to tear. But; I had to have it anyway. I brought it home and decided to try to restore it. I applied liquid medium to both sides very carefully, drying in between, then letting it sit flat with a heavy book over it for a few days.

My husband made a beautiful wooden "shadow-box" type frame for the print and I had fun treating the raw wood; gesso of course :) and I used a crackle texture compound around the frame and added some weathering with acrylics.

I then turned to my print and started restoring some of the colors in roses with oil pastels and wax pencils. I applied soft gel medium, let that dry and then adhered to the inside of the frame. We were quite pleased with the result.

Now; where to hang this? Hmmmmmm; decided that it just had to hang on the front of our antique "faux mantle" which is in our living room. The mantle was purchased at an antique shop in Cooperstown and is a pre 1700's piece!

Thought I would share a little piece of my world here with you :)

I wish you all a safe, happy, and artful week ahead. Again; it's so good to be back with all of you again!!!!

Love and good health to all.................................Marilyn xxoo

"Little Feet"

I am starting off with my first post sharing a fun art project altering these adorable vintage baby shoes I found at a flea market quite awhile ago. I've been hanging on, to them, for so long just waiting for the right moment. Once I found out my son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby, and discovering they are having a little girl, well these little feet just called out to me.

The shoes were a bit challenging as they are so delicate; they are actually quite old. They came with lots of little cracks and rips. Thankfully, Gesso came to the rescue!!!! :) I love my Gesso!

I used acrylic paints, some decoupage and stamped using the newest Paperbag Studios unmounted sheet called Little Feet. I added some tiny flowers, and lace for final embellishing.

This was so much fun, I want to do more! I think I will :)

I'm wishing you all a safe, joyous, and happy weekend. Again; it is SO good to be back blogging and connecting with you all once again! You've been missed!

Much love and thank you all for the warm welcome back! Now; I'm going to go check out what you've all been creating :) xxoo Marilyn

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists!!!

I'm back, and a little frazzled, as you can see :)*

I now have my computer back and it's up and running. I've missed you all! WOW!

A new hard drive was installed and I want to thank my friend, James, for all of his help and hard work on getting my laptop in shape for me.

I plan on updating my Blog over the weekend but I wanted to let you all know I'm back!

I've tried, as best I can, to visit Blogs and keep as current as I can. It will take me awhile to get all caught up but it feels great to be online again in full.

Hope all is well with you and yours and have a wonderful weekend ahead! I've got lots to share!

This awesome pumpkin is the creation of my dear and talented friend Patti Gramza

Much love to all of you........................Marilyn xxoo

Takin' a short break......................................

I'm going to be taking a mini break from Blogging starting today. I need some time to work on a couple of art shows that I have coming up. The demands of details with paper work and framing; all that goes with it.

A friend of mine and I formed a local group that we call ourselves Art 'Round Town

We have our first exhibit, as a group, at the Colonie Town Hall beginning September 2nd and it will run through the month of October.

Check out our website if you have time (highlighted above). The site is preliminary and we are still adding to it. We will be adding more members in near future.

Another really fun project I will be working on are baby shower invitations for my daughter-in-law. :) I have so many ideas floating around in my head so I'll need to get working on them. We found out, recently, that my son and his wife are expecting a girl! I'm thinkin' pinks and purples :)

In meantime, all be safe and happy. I will miss you but will try to catch up with what you are creating as I can.

Thank you, again, for all of your support and friendships!

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

Handmade Collage Papers.........................

I took some time, last week, to make some handmade collage papers. They take much drying time; especially with the humidity we've been having. I thought I'd share, with you, some of these papers. They are created with special artists' tissue paper, mediums and acrylics, and some cool inclusions like coffee grounds and cording. The first picture is a grouping of some that have fully dried and the other picture is of my absolute favorite of the group. The pictures do not do the colors justice but my favorite one with the cording came out like a champagne color.

Now the fun part will be embellishing them. Some I will leave plain and some I will use fun texture elements and art stamps to decorate.

I'm wishing you all a safe, happy and artful weekend! Thanks always for taking the time to visit, here, and leaving your supportive feedback! You're all the BEST!

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

Paperbag Studios August Challenge..........:)

Paperbag Studios
has always been one of my favorite rubber stamp sites. Roben-Marie's art stamps always call to me in not only an artistic way but I find the sheets can be utilized in so many ways.

As part of being on the Design Team, I was honored to be asked to host this month's challenge.

Which has led me to the idea for the August challenge that is being offered on the Paperbag Studios' Blog. Check out the full details to join in on the fun.

The theme is "Mix and Match".

The challenge is to choose two stamp sheets and choose two stamps from each set and merge them into one piece that creates a definite message or feel.

Winner will be selected in early September and will receive a $10 coupon toward Paperbag Studio stamps!

This is a picture of my sample for my challenge and I selected images from the Dream Notions sheet and Home sheet for the sample.

Roben Marie's full stamp line is on her website (highlighted above).

Good luck and I hope you decide to play! :)

Hope you are all having a good week and finding time for creating your beautiful art!

Much love.................................Marilyn xxoo

"Ode to Shane"

Today marks the date of the 3rd year passing of a very beautiful person. Shane was my son's best friend and a very treasured family friend whose life was cut much too short in a tragic accident. I've always wanted to create a work of art in honor of Shane and symbolize his heritage, one that he was very proud of.

Shane was part Mohegan Indian; his strong facial features and sculptured outline were tell tale.

This piece is a 9 x 12, mixed media, on art board. The picture is actually a section of the painting. The image is of Uncas a Mohegan Chief, who is probably more famous as a character in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans than as a real-life person. But; he is significant in the context of the 17th-century New England history.

Through my reading about Uncas, I've discovered that Uncas and Shane share similar traits. Just to name a few; strength, wisdom, perseverance, and being a real team player.

So; on this day of August 10th, I pay tribute to our dear friend Shane who we love and miss so much! Shane lives on, through the things we know he's loved and cared about. He loved life, mountains, Sharon, David, motorcycles, humor, and the New York Yankees!!

I see it fitting that this weekend, the NY Yankees swept the Red Sox in a 4-game series. Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This ones for you Shane! I love you! Marilyn xxoo

How about them Yankees????????????