Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Weekly melange challenge...INSPIRATION


The prompt week is INSPIRATION. I started out by flipping through my stack of vintage photos and this woman just popped out at me. She seems so strong and confident, someone who is not afraid to follow her dreams...the kind of person I aspire to be.

I used vintage ephemera for the background (map, frech text, pages from old books, a rent receipt, leger page, and a stamp) then I transferred an image over the top, embellished with black thread, a rusty key I found in my backyard and some torn lace. The piece measures 5"x7" and is done on sturdy 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Visit the melange blog for the weekly prompt, then create a mixed media piece and link to your piece in the blog comments. Anyone is invited to participate, you don't need to be a melange team member.

~Alisa

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Melange weekly challenge...lace


The prompt week is LACE...I'm not exactly sure what this piece has to do with lace other than the fact that I included some lace-like fabric I picked up at the flea market this weekend.

I used vintage ephemera for the background (ledger paper, a receipt, pieces from a pattern, a handwritten recipe, and an ad for lace) then I transferred an image over the top, embellished with thread, lace and a few buttons, and finally mounted it on an 8"x8" canvas board.

Visit the melange blog for the weekly prompt, then create a mixed media piece and link to your piece in the blog comments. Anyone is invited to participate, you don't need to be a melange team member.

~Alisa

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I don't know about you, but I had an absolutely perfect Mother's Day. It all started when the kids went to their ma and pa's house for the day (ma & pa are what the girls call my mom and dad). So yes, I admit that Mother's Day is supposed to be for spending time with your children, but my girls are constantly at my side. So when the offer was put onto the table...to have a nice relaxing day away from the girls, I jumped at the opportunity.

Today hubby and I went to the first outdoor flea market of the year (for us anyway). The weather was absolutely beautiful...we couldn't have asked for a nicer morning. Oh and by the way...I found numerous treasures at my very favorite vendor's booth...he's the guy that I've posted about before and I'm sure will post about again. He has boxes and boxes and boxes of junk...old plates, toys, books, you name it. I'll have to take his picture next time we go...he certainly is a character...always shouting out "books and magazines, three for a dollar. Anything else is two for a dollar!" I wonder if he ever gets tired of saying that?




Anyway...here's what I picked up today.

A wonderful cigar box full of buttons and a notions. Two little play books - one in German and one in Italian (I think). Lots of handwritten little pamphlets for a fraternal organization, a deed, western union telegram, a rent receipt booklet, some vintage laces and a copy of "Life" from 1894 (the adds are great, btw).




I hope all the mothers of the world are having as much fun as I am! I think mothers should be celebrated more than once a year!


~Alisa

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

My other girl


Okay...I finished Eva up :) She will hang in my two-year old's room.
This one is on a 12x16" canvas.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

something new

It's no secret that recently I been really lacking in the motivation/creativity department. Maybe is the spring weather drawing my attention elsewhere...flowerbeds, yard work. Well, instead of searching for my muse, I decided to try something totally new and different...I took an online class taught by Wyanne Thompson!



The format was really nice...the videos are available for something like 6 months and you can progress at your leisure. I probably wasn't the greatest student...I skipped around...I didn't even watch all of the videos, but I did come out of with at least two new pieces. I finished the first...called "Ella" that will hang in my daughter Ella's room. Next I'll tackle "Eva" which will hang in my two year old's room.


I decided to take this particular class because I wanted to learn how to draw girls...after taking the class I learned that I could always draw girls, I was just too intimidated to try it before. And although this may be the last you see of my "girls", I had a really great time working on them and learning from Wyanne. I think the biggest thing that I got out of the class is...that you just have to PLAY and HAVE FUN, try new things and experiment. If things don't turn out exactly the way you'd planned...it's okay. Just embrace those happy mistakes and move on!


~Alisa