Art Tags

These are the supplies I used to make the tags for a women's retreat. The theme for the retreat was "Time is Ticking Away".



I started out with 12x12 sheets of scrapbook paper and rocked a Tim Holtz mask on them. Using walnut ink, I sprayed all over the 2 papers. Some were solid pink and others were solid purple, with a textured finish.





I cut the papers into tag sized pieces and cut off the ends. Then I inserted a grommet. The rest is a combination of 7gypsies gaffers tape, vintage timepieces punched or cut out of the Graphic45 gentlemen's collection, and current 10 cent stamps from the post office. Through the grommet I put different kinds of ribbons (grosgrain, organza, etc). I incorporated a book from 1910, because I love the old german font "Fraktur". The other font used was "Jugend" for the scripture verses/sayings printed on plain white copy paper. I found that font on dafont.com. I also decorated an Anthropologie gift bag I had, to deliver the finished tags.

Desk Organization

I like to have supplies out and handy because they inspire me. I found it problematic to pull everything out, just to put it away. This created the desire for decorative, rather than utilitarian storage. I still have overflow and lots of extras in the supply closet. I only tidy up after I'm done. I refuse to be afraid of a temporary mess! I have collected milk glass for awhile on the cheap. It had been sitting in a cabinet, so I took some out to put my sponges in, on the shelf. The white Fire-King dish rocks because it has dividers built in for bits-and-bobs. The lotion, powder, and candles are there because of the colour, but I enjoy using them in a room they weren't intended for.
The little bathroom shelf holds pads of distress ink, walnut inks, 2oz. paints, and tattered angel sprays. The oval turquoise glass bowl has birds in relief on the outside and it is holding my bone folders and paper tweezers.The pink champagne saucer is holding round Italian paper clips from Cavallini. The ribbons are on a towel rack from Homegoods. The heart shaped dish is Mikasa and purchased from Ross. The butterfly tray is John Derian for Target, and the glass dish is also his, from a fancy boutique in NYC.

Birthday Card

I just made this for a friend. I took an old advert from a vintage 1950s magazine and added my own words to the talk bubble. The colours were naturally odd. I added some ledger paper inside to write my message.
So I know this sounds crazy, but her gift was panties and plates. WWWHHHAAAAATTT? She loves vintage plates, the starburst atomic kind, and I added in leopard lace- trim cheeky underpants from Victoria Secret. Yes an unexpected contrast, but for some weird reason they worked! Now don't worry, I wont buy you panties, but she is the type of friend I could do that for:)

Studio Organization

I love to put vignettes together. I obsess over combinations with chartreuse-my favourite colour!


Moving supplies around to have better access. I try to store items in vintage containers.

Work in Progress

Here are two collages I have started. Lots more layers to apply. We'll see how they turn out...hopefully soon!

Latest Collage

Here is a collage I recently finished. I enjoy these vintage women. They have such an attitude in their expressions! I will continue to experiment with different themes and materials. This was mounted upon an oval, pre-cut, pre-drilled piece of wood. I layered Liquitex soft-body acrylics, foreign music, distress inks, stamped text, and images from the 1950's. I coated it with matte medium to seal.

New Opportunity

I hesitated, but am so glad I signed up for this. I even sold some things on ebay to pay for it. This course started on May 30th and I am taking lots of notes by copying each post into a word program, deleting what I wont need, and saving all the great info that I know I will want to keep forever. Today I read about facing our fears. It made me recall Proverbs 23:7a "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Oh I am so guilty of putting limitations on myself and excusing things away. I am relying on Kelly Rae's experience and ability to walk me through the process of creating a brand. That is my dream, to create a visual design language that is carried through all my art.