Author: Dina

Did you know that I live in the outermost reaches of Hades? No? Well, that’s what it feels like when I’m sitting outside for an hour while the kids are in swimming lessons. It’s hot, people. Then like the ding-a-ling  I am, we stopped at the store for 15-cent boxes of crayons before swimming lessons, which isn’t too smart considering crayons will melt in the car in less than 90 seconds. Duh. So I lugged ten boxes of Crayola around with me at the pool. Very smaht.

I arted yesterday, but the piece isn’t finished.

If summer boredom has set in, feel free to check out the following:

• Art Quotes. Get inspired and all that crud.
• Picklebird. An alternative art magazine from LA. Some interesting articles. PG-13 language, though.
• D’Art. Online marketplace of all kinds of art pieces.
• World Wide Art. The grand-daddy of all arts resources.

Went antiquing with Wendy and scored this great loot. Old photographs, an old pricing stamp (looks like it’s never been inked), old postcards with wonderful handwriting & stamps, and an old booklet on housekeeping (lol!!). I need to go back and buy more photos & cabinet photos…they were 50% off.

I promise this bit of art journaling isn’t as creepy in real life…it does look creepy in the photograph, though. I think it’s the purple on the eye…makes me look possessed. Maybe I am possessed. Maybe. This is for an Alphabetica journal…she requested we do art about "our word." I used journaler, since I’ve kept a journal since I was nine years old.

I’m feeling sluggish. Couldn’t sleep last night…my mind was reeling with so many things. Sadnesses, disappointments, things that I don’t have time to dwell on during the day. At night those thoughts come out and play and have a grand ole party. So today I have a sad-thoughts-can’t-sleep hangover.

Check this out…

The Book

It’s the ultimate circle journal. Sketch books were circulated at random between 4 artsits for 36 weeks. There was no other communication between the artists except for the art in the book. Way cool, way inspiring. I’d love to trade a book like this with an artist over an extended period of time. Art, send, art, send, art, send.

For my family…I posted some summer pics over yonder in the photo album category. Direct link: Summer 2006.

Not thrilled with this…frankly it’s amateurish. But it’s what I did, so I let it be.

Status report:

• Laundry – mostly done. (Is laundry really ever done? Discuss.)
• Alpha swap journals – not even started. Hope to do one tomorrow.
• ScrapGal stuff – done. See sample below. It’s a terrible pic of the LO (bad lighting), but in this case done is better than perfect.

• Putting stuff away from trip – 50% done. Anyone wanna come clean my studio for me? Please? I don’t wanna do it but I want everything put away. Sigh.

Browsed some fun mixed media/collagey retail sites that I haven’t looked at in ages. Such as:

• Manto Fev.
• Hannah Grey.
• Paper Valise.
• Silverfishes.
• Sacred Kitsch.
• Art Chix Studio.
• Anima Designs.
• Found Elements.

Did you miss me?   *snort*   I’m back from my marathon 21-day visit to the relatives in Utard, uh, I mean Utah. Gosh, I love the mountains. I know, I know, I’ve mentioned it before. Sigh.

Anyhoo, I’m back. I have a 5-foot pile of laundry to do, and about 4 feet of mail to sort. I have art awaiting, too…there are TWO alphabetica art journals sitting here, waiting for my attention. I can’t wait to get to those…they’re on the top of my priority list. After the mail & the laundry. Oh, and after ScrapGal.com duties. Guess I’m gonna be busy….

It’s good to be home. I want to snog my computer, I missed it sooo much.

• I’m still on vacation…with no way yet of downloading my pics. By next week I should be able to, though. I know, you’re so excited. You can’t wait.
• My mom got me the Lovely Design journal that I coveted!! It’s so delicious, I can’t wait to art in it.
• Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream is nirvana in a bowl. Or in a cone, if you prefer.
• Feeling crafty? Check out Get Crafty. It’s the "home of the craftistas."
• I’m in the mood for a little project to keep me busy. I thought a crochet pattern would be nice. I’ve scoured the internet for something to make besides dishclothes. I’ve decided that crochet patterns are some of the ugliest things I have ever seen. Just ’cause you CAN make it doesn’t mean you SHOULD. Ya know??