artsy inspiration

dogblogtv.com

I know I've shared this on my Dare to Dream blog before...but just tonight received and email from dogblogtv.com letting me know they have added a new mini movie of their sweet and funny yorkies!  This time, they shared their youtube access so that we can share the actual clips!  If you've never visited dogblogtv.com, you can see all the movies which are wonderful!  oxox

Crazy about Pink

 

I'm crazy about the color PINK!  What's not to love?  I know that when deciding if I should purchase something, if whatever I'm eyeing is PINK, chances are, I won't be able to resist it.  Etsy has come up with something fun....it's called the Etsy Treasury.  I just made a pink list for fun.  Wanna see? oxox

Etsy & Karyn Gartel

Hi!  I opened a new Etsy store last week and have begun to find etsy stores belonging to artists I've loved for ages.  I'm the queen of seeing something from an artist that just does it for me and emailing them and asking if I share their wonderful work in my Artsy Inspirations blog....of course, almost immediately, the ADD kicks in and no sooner do I get a reply of 'yes', when I'm instantly distracted and never post the art I loved.  (please don't forget to remind me...if I've emailed you about this before and I never posted your work, EMAIL ME!)...(I've told students in classes I've taught..."if you ask a question and I get off track without  answering your question entirely, pull me back.')  Tonight I was given  recall of the above forgetfullness when I followed a link to Karyn Gartel's etsy store.  I remembered seeing her work on ebay a million years ago...freaking out about one of her pieces and asking if I could mention it on my journal.  As is  typical of me (because of the ADD thing)  I got sidetracked and never commented on her ebay auction that had inspired me so much...I'm very thankful to have, once again, stumbled across more of her work on etsy and have even had the pleasure of purchasing the most awesome fabric transfer of one of her original collages...in the meantime, here's one of her etsy pieces that she has for sale.  Is this not incredible?  Thank you Karyn keeping me inspired!  ps....if you visit her via this blog...please tell her I said hi. :)   oxox

Simply Charming

I just happened upon an awesome blog dedicated to a charm swap hosted by Ruth Rae.  You've just go to see it.  Many of the artists give step by step instructions on how to make their charm.  Wonderful!  oxox

New Collage Sheets and Fun Sites to See!

Here's a little peek at my new collage sheet "for the birds"....actually, I don't remember if I named it that. :)  but if you like it, you can get one for yourself right HERE!  Alpha Stamps is such an incredible site with so many goodies...I'm so thankful that they've decided to relieve me of the job of printing, shipping, emailing of orders...I'm just so dang bad at it!  I've been making some fun new sheets such as "seashells", "school days", "the witching hour".... if you can think of anything specific you're wanting in vintage ephemera, let me know and I'll do my best to make something for you!

Here are some fun sites to peek into.....I just LOVE The Star City Sound  I'm dying for this vintage necklace she has.... I'm also in love with her wonderful little broach bouquets... you'll have to go see her treasures and tell her I said HI!

oxox

I've Gone Amazon Shopping Today...

oh mama, I've been saving up some amazon gift certificates and went on this HUGE FUN and FREEE spending spree.  How could I not share the goods with you....or at least make you just a teensy bit green with envy??

First on my list was a preorder....I'm very excited! Sally Jean's new book!

Next on the list....I bought the most YUMMY
lotions, all are "buttercream frosting" and yes, it totally smells like it, this is better than the yankee candles and those are good. 

I got some more books....
Country Living Easy Transformations: Small Spaces and Cozy Corners

Carolyn Westbrook Home

Artists' Houses

Finally, my BIG purchase was for a metal punch set.  I'd purchased a cheap on on ebay and it was just that...cheap.  I guess you get what you pay for...but hey, I didn't pay for this one...i used my gift certificate.  :P

Ok, enough excitement...it's time for bed.  oxox

Divas D'Este

  Look at this wonderful image from a collage sheet I found for sale on ebay!
I haven't had a chance to look at the rest of Dawn's collage sheets but if they're half this fun, I can only imagine that I'll have to have some! 
I'm supposed to be packing as we leave at 3:45am....I'm having a huge hot flash and stalling, which is my normal routine.  ugghh!  oxox

Faux Tin Type Technique

Hi!  Last September I had an article published in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.  I had developed a transfer technique using scanned tin type photos printed onto a transparency and then transferring that image onto copper or metal.

Now that I've decided not to sell collage sheets on my website (because I'm a crappy email-er and snail mailer), I've been designing new and redesigning my old collage sheets that are now being offered for sale by Alpha Stamps!

I've given Alpha Stamps permission to scan and post my article on their website and have created a full page of tin type images for sale on the site.

If you've yet to try this, you're missing out...it's great fun!  oxox, tracy

Lou McCulloch

Artist Lou McCulloch blows me away.  I've had the privilege of working with her in certain projects and have always been touched by her gentleness and caring.  Not only is she a wonderful person, but her talent is inspired, constantly growing and evolving.  I've recently visited her online journal and felt I had to share it with you.  Thanks Lou for inspiring me as an artist and a person.  oxox

New Collaboration!

I'm very happy to announce my collaboration with Alpha Stamps!

I've been a huge fan of this site since it started.  They have only top quality items and every package I've received from them has left me excited and inspired.   

The owner has solved my postage/mailing issues by allowing me to design the collage sheets while she handles everything else.  I no longer need to fret about late mailings, emails and stress that come with high volume sales from my website.  YAY! 

I will be continually designing and adding sheets to Alpha Stamps and am very excited about it. 

If there is a special set of images you've been wanting or looking for, just let me know and I'll add it to my never ending to do list!  oxox

Image Gifts just for YOU

While enjoying shopping at artfest, I was able to get my pretty little paws on some gorgeous old postcards.  I thought I'd post a few of them in honor of  Kristina, who so graciously shares her personal images.  Thanks Kristina! 

Sandra Spencer

I first "met"  Sandra Spencer when I was first beginning my artist endeavors. 

As those of you know, anyone who sells on eBay on a regular basis becomes very familiar with other artists selling on eBay.  While painting and selling on eBay, I'd see something from Sandra and just die for it...totally poor, I couldn't bid...but always wanted to.   

Eventually I did bid and win one of her paintings, only to have her email me and ask that we trade instead.  I've since gotten the cutest painting of Lily as a puppy...so now I'm the proud owner of 2 of Sandra's paintings.

If you're an animal lover/owner, you're in luck!  She does commissions at VERY low prices!  (I have the greatest one of Lily!)  She also is a constant eBay lister....if you haven't visited her, you've been missing out!  oxox

Some of my favorite sources!

There are so many awesome, original, online shops that can be totally filled with inspiration, ideas, gadgets, etc.  I've received two different packages recently from Paper Relics and Papier Valise.  I couldn't have been happier.  The packages were sweet, filled with treasures galore!

I was 100% satisfied and more, 100% giddy after opening each package!

One site that I've recently discovered is PoetsDreams.  Debbie has some of the greatest products that I'm dying to get my hands on!  This site focuses on ATC's.  She has some awesome rubber stamps that are to use for the back of your atcs that I love...here are some of them...   She also has this awesome, teensy heat gun for embossing...I've never seen one like this before!   

If you decided to visit these sites, tell them I said hi!!  oxox

Nicole Bowen

I'm absolutely in love with the artwork of Nicole Bowen.  I've searched all over and can only find her at Earth Angels Toys. 

If anyone knows Nicole, could you please ask her to email me?  I would love to tell her personally how much she inspires me.  oxox

Posy

I've stumbled upon the most beautiful journal.  It's called Posy. 

Inspire Me Thursday

This is my first entry in Inspire me Thursday.

The theme is "Self Portraits Without a Camera"....

oxox

MEGGIECAT

Are you ready for some crafty fun??  Then you'll have to visit meggiecat! 
She has another great one too...just go HERE!

I LOVE this site!  oxox

Marilyn Healey's Fun Album!

I somehow stumbled upon Marilyn Healey's blog tonight.  I was so inspired and excited by her post from Friday.

I thought some of you might be too!

oxox, tracy

ARTIST: Debrina Pratt

  One thing I adore about ebay is the ability it gives me to discover artists I'd never known. 

I was just browsing the Self Represented Artists category with a search on ATC's and look what I found.

This sweet original work of art was created by artist Debrina Pratt.   Her ebay id is *spark*your*imagination*

You've got to go onto her ebay site, check out her ME page and see all the wonderful pieces she's making.  Very inspiring.  oxox

Amanda Blake

Amanda Blake is my favorite modern day artist.  The first time I saw her work, I was mesmerized.  (This piece  is for sale on her website but some of my favorites that she's got online are on her Oil Painting website...you've got to go peek!).

Amanda is a young mom, very sweet and someone you'd want as a friend.  I'm so fortunate to own one of her original oil paintings...you can see it here!

Her work inspires me to be a better artist.  oxox