Art Doll

I'm trying to be more 'divergent' in my thinking.
I really liked making this art doll and I've set myself up to make lots more - there are body parts all over my work table!
I will probably do some swaps with them soon - if anyone wants one! Just give me a week to make a selection of different ones.


The stamp is from the Lost Coast Flying Flower Girls set, but I've cut it up and changed it a bit.

I'm going away for a couple of days, so I'll be back with news on Thursday morning.
See you then!
Love Linda xx

Dot's Dotee Doll Kit

I ordered a Dotee Doll kit from Dots Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago and finally got round to making it today. Most of the items were in the kit, but I added the flower hat and the word friends myself. I'm rather fond of her now she's done - I like the way she and the birds get on so well together, there's even one in her hair! The little gold nest with 4 eggs is rather gorgeous.

I Don't Feel Like An Adult!

I know quite a few of you have this stamp, but it always makes me smile. I'd like to meet the person who thought of it.

Although in my mid fifties I often feel childish and not as grown up I should be. Maybe everyone feels like that from time to time.

I love the wings on this Flower Fairy... I made them from Angelina Film - you just iron over it onto a stamp and the image is impressed into the Film. Its a lovely, irridescent effect.

Linda xx

Always Believe

Here's one of my Flying Flower Girls in an angelic setting.
I love the words Always Believe. Everyone should have something to believe in - its what gives us hope.
The ATC shrine is by Lost Coast.
Happy Weekend,
Linda xx

Flying Flower Girls!

I've done a few ATCs using these Flower Girls from Lost Coast. I'm not showing them all tonight because they aren't photographing very well - all the gold and shiny bits aren't showing up .
I'll try again in the daylight tomorrow.

Here they are just stamped with black ink so you can see the detail on them.

Aren't they cute?

Back tomorrow!

Linda x

Frida Shrine

Just a little Frida shrine I made last night.

I started with one of the lovely Invoke Funky House images stamped onto a background I'd previously created using Adirondack Colour Wash Sprays.

I love Tina's idea of clear embossing over the top of your work - it really accentuates the colours.

Here are 3 similar backgrounds I made at the same time. I just used 2 colours; Lettuce and Stream. Hope to buy some more soon though! Thanks for the inspiration Karen.

Happy crafting!

Linda xx

More Frida ATCs

I think Frida's art has kept me going through a difficult weekend. Isn't it wonderful that making things takes your mind off your problems.
I have used three of her famous quotes - there are loads more! On the one above I tried to replicate my icicle doll.

Bit radical this one - a landscape ATC (is that allowed?)
Thought I'd keep it simple for this one - I just love the photo.
The full quote for this is..... I never paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality. The quote becomes even more interesting if you look at some of her more bizarre paintings.

Well the DVD finally arrived this morning, so I'll tell you more when I've watched it.

Off now to take mum to the hospital to see dad.

Hugs

Linda x

Frida Kahlo ATC

I decided to have a go at making a Frida/icicle doll/ATC. The background is a piece of flat bonded Angelina (unfortunately you can't see the shimmer on the photo) and the body is stamped A/F. The butterfly was stamped on Angelina film. I have embossed the face and wings at the top to give them some thickness and shine.

I ordered the film 'Frida' today from Amazon, plus 'The Diary of Frida Kahlo' - both have fantastic reviews.

Thank you Judy for telling me about the film in the first place and thank you also Jacky for helping me discover Belinda's blog. She is an amazing artist and has posted lots of artwork, pictures and information about Frida. She has even visited her house in Mexico - Casa Azul; the photos are stunning. You'll see where I got my inspiration for the Frida doll - Belinda is the 'Queen of Icicle Dolls'!

Off now to have a think about Chriss's new challenge - its a good one! Go and see for yourself..

Love Linda x

Chriss's ATC

I hope she won't mind me showing you, but I received this gorgeous ATC from Chriss yesterday. She said she chose the words especially for me - how thoughtful is that?
Thank you Chriss.
Big hug
Linda x

More Birdhouses

The Invoke Arts stamp set I bought has lots of images, so I've been playing around with different ways to use them. The squiggly tree is from a different set which I bought from Scrapz. One of the word stamps says 'Home Sweet Home' but I changed the s to a t.

The two below are a bit gothic, lol! Just wanted to try a night time background, but I'm not sure it worked. Oh well, I'll keep trying.If anyone wants to trade, let me know.
Linda xx

Celebration and Consolation

I've spent the last 3 days involved in 'family events'. Brian was 60 on Sunday, so there's been a bit of celebrating. (Or was it consoling!) Anyway, we had a lovely champagne lunch with 4 friends at World Service in Nottingham. He's doing well for his age, bless him.
Yesterday was a non-celebratory day...my daughter failed her second driving test and was totally distraught. Its really hard to watch your child in distress. She has a car and starts a new job soon and really needs to be able to drive.
Anyway, we tried to put things into perspective and I helped her book another test. (An expensive day!!)
I'm off now to photograph my birdhouse ATCs - its time I put some pictures on this blog!
Love Linda

Birdhouses

I love my new stamps - there are lots of little houses (I think they are birdhouses), hearts, words, boxes, birds etc. They were all on one sheet; it took me ages to cut them out and put them on Kling-on! I also got the paper Artsy Squiggly Curls from Scrapz (see the tree above). I ordered a few things yesterday at 2pm and got them this morning - hows that for service!
I have made a few birdhouse ATCs...so more tomorrow!
Linda xx

Frida Kahlo

I've been reading about Frida Kahlo recently - I've been fascinated by her paintings for along time, but I've only just found out about her life.

She was Mexican, born in 1907 just before the revolution. She painted many self portraits. She had polio and spina bifida as a child and at the age if 18 was involved in an horrific road accident which left her with multiple injuries. She took up painting whilst in hospital.

If you want to find out any more, or see some of her paintings, have a look at www.tendreams.org/kahlo.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frida_Kahlo.Hope you like my tribute pieces anyway! The picture is the size of an ATC, the basis was a stamp by Invoke Arts (funky houses). I just got carried away and added more to it!

The face and the wings on the doll were printed onto fabric. The flowers are made of paper.

Hugs

Linda

A Doodle Day!

I've been having a doodling day today.... mainly flourishes and shrines. I love the effect of the white gel pen on navy card.
I've also finally cracked the gingham ATCs for Chriss's monthly swap! Its taken me ages to come up with an idea so I'm pleased I can still take part. Can't show those for a few weeks.
I feel I have to apologise for this next ATC (- my daughter was appalled when she saw it) but it had to be done. So thats it, I've got it off my chest. I can keep it above my work area and look at it whenever I like.
Off now to finish my new- style funky icicle doll.
I'll show you tomorrow.
Hugs
Linda

Charming

Have you been to Chriss's blog and entered her competition yet? She is such a charming lady!!!!
Answer the question and visit Scrapz website to find the answer - simple as that!

Handbags and Angels

Thank you for all the kind comments about my last ATC. Jaqi suggested doing a little series of them; well here are a couple more. Sorry they haven't scanned too well, I may have a go at photographing them in daylight tomorrow.

(Hopefully you haven't spotted the saggy nappy in the second picture.)

I've made 5 ATCs today, but 3 are for a special swap with Chriss and Chris. More of those another day.

Off to get some Horlicks now.

Love Linda

When I grow up...

I like Rosie's idea of an ATC telling a story. I 've been playing with old photos today and found this one of me when I went to ballet classes. Someone once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I remember saying I wanted to be a fairy.
Shame I didn't manage it - that would have been considerably better than being a teacher. Oh well... maybe there's still time.
Hope you're having a good weekend.
Hugs Linda x

Special People

There are lots of people I would like to mention here, but I've had to choose 5. Here are the rules regarding this special award:

1. You pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribution to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4. The award-winners and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

Right - here goes.......I have my tiara and gown on - please try to imagine.

First I want to thank Chriss for making all this possible - http://chriss-rollins.blogspot.com/ you have given me a new focus in life and I love it.

My first award goes to Rosie http://atcexchange.blogspot.com/

I love everything you make and I want to swap with you every time you post an ATC. You have become a very treasured friend in the short time I have known you. Long may our friendship last.(Pass me a hankie.)

Second award goes to Sesga http://sesgaloves1950s.blogspot.com/

We got to know each other from virtually the first day I started my blog! Thank you for your kind comments about my work. I love your enthusiasm for blogging and I love your collages. Please stay in touch with me.

Third award goes to Jaqi http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

You have worked so hard on your blog in such a short time. I know you love it! Your enthusiasm is infectious, thank you for being a friend.

Fourth award goes to Jackie http://art4moi.blogspot.com/

I've only just discovered you - and I am so glad I did! You produce the most beautiful, inspiring work. I will check on you regularly!

Fifth award goes to Cat http://baumcat.blogspot.com/

Your exquisite little quilts make me feel happy and peaceful. What more can I ask? Please keep on making them!

Before I go I would like to mention one more person. I wanted to give an award to Cookie Sunshine, but someone else beat me to it! She is a special person and she knows why.

Thanks Cookie!

Hugs to you all, Linda xx

Thank you Chriss!

I've been given an award for blogging from Chriss Rollins - I am truly honoured, especially as I have only been doing this for one month! I feel like I should be wearing a gorgeous long dress and making a speech!

Thank you very much Chriss for choosing me, I only hope I can be worthy of it.

Now I have to think of 5 people to pass it on to.....people who share their art and creativity.

I'll be back later!

x

A touch of nostalgia

ID didn't take up all of my day, I managed to do some ATCs as well - and I started a scrapbook page about my daughter.

If anyone wants to trade, let me know.

The photos are from Crafty Individuals and stamps are from Scrapz.

Off now to cook dinner and make the house look like I've spent the day cleaning etc before everyone gets home (lol).

Linda xx

Icicle Doll Part 3!

Chriss made me smile when she said ID was having a bad hair day - well I've restyled her as best as I can. She also suggested asking for names. Well, after my DD pointed put she had rather large ears (!!!) we thought maybe Dumbo was an appropriate name lol.

I was slightly insulted, but had to admit, yes, her WINGS were rather high.

Anyway, she's had some surgery done and hopefully she can have a bit of peace now.

Cookie'sTreasure Hunt

Have a look at Cookie's blog - its full of diverse and fascinating things!
Whilst you're there try her Treasure Hunt and you could win one of her original illustrations.
It's rather gorgeous!

Icicle Doll Part 2

Well here she is.

I like her now...she is going to be mine, but I will make others.

As they say only a mother could love her.

Off to make ATCs now.
Love Linda x

Icicle Doll

I'm doing something I said I would never do.

I'm making an icicle doll.

I've always hated them and thought they looked spooky.

Well, I've changed my mind....I think.

I'm viewing them in a different way. They are a bit like ATC dolls.

I can put messages on them and printed faces (I've done loads of those with my new transfer paper!!)

I can stitch all sorts of things onto them.

We shall see. This one is not finished...its going to have some sari silk hair and embellishments on the front.

I'll show the completed version tomorrow - please come and have a look and tell me what you think.

I won't be offended if you don't like it!

Have a look at the ones on Jacky's blog - they are rather cute.

In fact they are the culprits - they changed my mind!

Hugs

Linda xx