Goat Feathers

Dillon Capers

2012-01-27T14:53:00.000-05:00

We have a new puppy. Dillon was born November 12 and came to our house on December 29.
Oh my which one to choose.

Oh I just love this one.

Edward had to come and help us select the perfect puppy.

That is my sister Annie. She belong to my friend Sharon. Annie is on the right.

The day arrived and we became new Mom's. Each puppy weighted about 7 pounds.

Oh how cute. I am 8 weeks old.

Mom got me a new kitty just for me to play with. That is Binx the Monster cat.

The cat and I are world travelers or anyway just to Savannah.

Look what I can do. Is that creative or what? Edward wants me to come back really soon.

I am now 19 pounds and get to play outside. I am 10 weeks old.

Fiber Artist Trading Cards

2011-11-20T19:17:00.000-05:00

On Saturday I attended the Gainesville Fiber Artists group. They begin with a show and tell or bring and brag which ever suits your fancy. Laura made these bird houses out of 3/4 inch wood cubes. The roof is made from paper clay. Each house is different , either stamped, painted or something glued on it. They are so cute.

The program was to exchange Fiber Artists Trading Cards.

Each person was to make 15 cards to trade.

The variety of the cards was mind boggling. There was rust dying, laser cut embellishments, embossing, yo yo's, paper art, felting, beading, machine and hand embroidery, computer printed fabric and an assortment of other wonderful techniques.

We were told to bring our cards in a bag. I guess I don't follow instructions very well.

Each card I did was an original photograph of something in the North Florida area. The topic was nature. This is our home. I printed out the photos on fabric using the computer printer.

I took this photo last winter from my deck.

This is a picture of my grandmother and her sisters. It is superimposed on the front of my home and then a rainbow circle was added with photoshop. Notice the charms. I used Coke cans and embossed them with my cuttle bug and then added Tim Holtz alcohol inks to color them.

This is my favorite one. It is created totally on Photoshop with all types of embellishments. The angel is a stone statue that was added to the picture with the crow. The original size of the piece was 8.5" by 11".

High Springs Fall Festival

2011-10-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

Saturday was the Fall Festival for High Springs.
The High Springs Theater had an all day Flea Market.

This is a tour of our quaint town.

At one time this was a tea house and then an antique shop.

Madhatters is a great little dinning establishment with
all types of artist endeavors and confections to enjoy.

There was even a car show. Can you see me careening down the highway in this number?

The Brown Paper Bag gets a Makeover

2011-10-24T13:10:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not. This is made from a brown paper bag. I used the instruction from Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. Looks just like leather.

First wrinkle tha paper bag and paint it brown. Then add flexible chipboard letters called grunge board, images etc. These are made by Tim Holtz. Use Temtex to make the book cover strong but flexible.

The most fun was learning how to do book binding. There are several signatures with approximately 3 sheets per signature.

All the pages have been specially designed either using stencils, paint or stitching on fabric samples.

The book has been closed with an old macrame necklace and the feather came from Lucy the rooster.

Lucy

Journal using File folder

2011-08-17T19:55:00.000-04:00

I was inspired to make a folder journal after reading Cloth Paper Scissors January/February 2011 issue. Heidi Sekovski and Karin Winter ceated the best journals and I have adapted their directions to make my own. Thanks Heidi and Karin for the creativity boost.

Use your stamps and stickers.

The words were taken from a Yoga Magazine where I found just the right ones.

I love the colors on this one.
Papers are from K&Company.

More Art Work

2011-06-28T07:25:00.000-04:00

Can you hear the Mermaid Singing?

Another piece from the class Magical Mythical Making which inspired me to paint the following creatures: Goddesses, fairies, mermaids and unicorns.

This mermaid is painted on a piece of plywood, about 24 x 36 inches which will include an ornate frame of gold once done.

The piece is painted with watercolors and acrylics and used gold mica chips for the scales.

Part of the course is to paint in a journal. We used Chagall for our inspiration. He was criticized for his lack of realism. Thank goodness he did not change or we would not have his quirky paintiings to inspire us.

As a painter he used strange images in his painting,
like a bird underwater or flying horse or buildings totally out of context.

This is part of the 21 Secrets Class.

Collage Paint and Soul
First you glue all types of pictures and tissue paper to the background.

After looking at this for awhile I decided I did not like those colors at all.

Here is the finished piece titled
The Land of Make Believe.

I will be moving on to another class but just love this technique.

IPhone Photo Apps

2011-06-24T19:33:00.000-04:00

This post is about apps I use on my photos with the IPhone.

This photo was enhanced using Color Splash a great app that allows you to just pull out one color and leave the rest of the photo black and white. Very easy to use.

This is a HDR photo. The phone takes two photos using a very light image and then a dark image and blends the two photos together for the best of both modes. I used ProHDR, another great app.

This is the original photo that nothing has been done to it. Kind of boring. The picture is taken in Orlando at the International Mall.

21 secrets Collage Paint and Soul

2011-06-18T11:13:00.000-04:00

I am taking a class called 21 Secrets.
It is a fabulous course that has 21 classes with great teachers.

Collage, Paint and Soul taught by Tam starts with a simple collage.

With a little magic and good instruction it turns into this great painting.

Look very carefully in the left hand side and you will see
Molly the chocolate lab hiding behind the wings.

This is the bottom of the collage.
Love all the colors and the flower garden.

Tam is offering this class here. It is only around $15.00

Iphone Photo Apps

2011-06-17T14:43:00.000-04:00

This photo was taken using the HDR which means that two photos are taken. One with too much light and one with it too dark and then they are combined. You must not move the camera or you will get a ghost image such as I did. Look at her eyes and you will see the movement.

This is the same photo with a filter added.

I also have the app that lets you add cats to the photo.

It is called Cat Paint.

Great fun.

Edward driving to Ikea. Just minding his own business.

Time warp as occurred.........late 1970's.

Fast forward to year 2011....psychedelic effects.

Help I am being abducted by an IPhone App.

Oh no it is the cats again.

Relatives that look alike.

2011-06-05T19:37:00.000-04:00

Have you ever noticed that when the relatives get together that there is a resemblance some where.

I can't quite put my finger on what we all have in common.

We came down to Tampa for Katelyn's graduation.

At this point I began to see how much she looked like her Mom and Grand mom.

Big Steve has always had a fondness for the good life
and likes to see how all the family members are growing up and who they look like.

This is our oldest son Stevie. Spitting image of his DAD.

He is married to Kelly who looks just like him.

Katelyn is her daughter and it seems they both have that great look.

This is Franna Nanna, Kelly's Mom who came all the way from California.

Boy you can tell that they are mother and daughter.

This is Michael who has moved to California.

Katelyn is his sister.

You sure can tell that.

Being the historian of the family I wanted to make sure that I captured all our likenesses for posterity.

I know the family will just love that I photographed each of us and looked for that special trait that makes us all connected.

I think it is love.

Ficklestick necklace and SheArt Canvas

2011-05-27T16:20:00.000-04:00

This is a necklace I made for my new friend Elena Lai Etcheverry. I met her at the Orlando Scrapbook Expo. She had on a fabulous necklace and of course there was an instant connection. We decided to do an art swap keeping our creation secret until we were done and it was in the mail. This is a fabric wire creation made from the inspiration of Ficklesticks.

Elena has sent her extraordinary creation to me in the mail. I can't wait.

Title of this piece:

Clap your Hands

The song "If you are happy and you know it clap your hands. " inspired the name. Go check out the song and see what the children are wearing and then you will know why this necklace has it's name.

I also added a special treat that she does not even know about. When I first saw her she was wearing a tiara. I though now there is a girl after my own heart. This s a multimedia art canvas, 6x12, that I painted, stamped, stenciled and glued. I took a class called SheArt. from Christi Tomlinson. I had such a good time and learned so many new things.

Title of this piece:
She always wore a tiara on Friday.

That is what the words say on the side of the canvas.

Elena it is in the mail!!!!!

Crochet Rug and Purse

2011-05-23T08:08:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it is just fun to have a funky rug in your studio.
I crocheted this from strips of leftover fabric.

Each strip of fabric is cut 2 inches wide and as long as the width of the fabric. It is a simple single crochet stitch with each row adding additional stitches to create a bigger and bigger round rug. The edges are 8 inch strips of fabric looped onto each stitch on the edge of the rug. It is quite heavy and probably has 8-10 yards of fabric in the final product.

Shari loved my rug so much she wanted to make a purse. This is her second one since the first one was sold right off her back.

Great job Shari!!!

My friend Shari looks quite smashing with her new purse. Do you just love my hydrangeas?

Clothesline Basket and Vintage Seminole Jacket

2011-05-05T20:52:00.000-04:00

This is a basket I made for Katie and Jeffrey for a house-warming gift. It is made from clothesline and wrapped in batiks. I am quite fond of the top loops and extra silver beads.

I found this child's vintage Seminole Indian jacket at a church flea market. I took it home, washed it and put in a new zipper and repaired any fraying rick rack. It looks like a million dollars and it going to look great on my great granddaughter Charlotte. Ok Katie post a pic on Facebook of Charlotte in her Indian outfit.

Rust Dyeing Workshop at Goatfeathers Studio

2011-04-18T08:39:00.001-04:00

Fiber artists from the Quilters of Alacha County Day Guild in Gainesville, Florida visited

The Goatfeathers Studio
for a workshop on rust dyeing

The ladies were delighted with a mini truck show given by Celeste of Goatfeathers. Many types of fiber art were shared including jewelery and paintings of fairies and goddesses.

Be sure to saturate your fabric with vinegar.

I prefer white vinegar and it can be used full strength.

The types of rusted items these ladies brought were to die for.

Oh my they even brought their own bugs.

Sometimes it is best to lay your object out and let the image rust on the fabric.

Where ever the rusty object touches the fabric is where your image will be.

There will be over-rusting of the surrounding fabric.

The fabric must remain wet/damp and be exposed to air for the items to rust.
It usually takes 24 hours but may take longer.

Use a T-shirt to get your design in just the right place.

Peggy really was into rust dying.

Thanks ladies for coming to the workshop.
It was a great day and I hope pictures will be sent of your finished pieces.

Angel of Mercy

2011-02-13T18:59:00.000-05:00

This is my journal painting of the angel.

The painting is done with water color crayons and stamps. The wings are silver leaf.

No crown would be complete with out jewels.

The past two weeks my painting class has been focusing on Alphonse Mucha style of painting. He is best known for his art deco style.

Do you see the resemblance?

This gives you a perspective of the size.

Digital Journal Magic Class

2011-02-06T20:08:00.000-05:00

I am taking an online class using CS4 Photoshop and have been learning how to make Digital Journals. Here is my work for the past three weeks. This class is located at Journal Magic. It is taught by Marie Otero who is a mixed media artist and now uses the computer/photoshop to create many wonderful confections.

Goddess of Logic

2011-02-01T19:47:00.000-05:00

I am taking a class online from Tam called Magical, Mystical, Making. It is a study of mythical creatures using mixed media. Each week we will be attempting to create mermaids, goddesses and angels, fairies and unicorns.

This is quite a large art piece.

Gustave Klimt is the style that is being used.

Ta-Da!!! It is completed. We also had to do a journal entry.

Notice the Zentangle influence.

Fiber Muse

2011-01-16T17:09:00.000-05:00

The Great Goddess of Fiber Muse

The base of this fiber muse is made from paper cloth or fabric paper. It starts out as a piece of muslin and then you add tissue paper,magazine pictures, netting, fibers,sequins and anything else that you have on hand.

An angel wrote: Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. Do you see the footprints in the heart?

This muse was featured in the book Stitch Alchemy combining fabric + paper for mixed-Media Art by Kelli Perkins. Beryl Taylor also does some great work with fabric paper. Check out her video.

The wings can be made from aluminum tape that is used for air conditioners or you can use coke cans. These wings were stained with alcohol inks from Tim Holtz.

The bird cage was cut from a die cut using the Cuttlebug. The bird is cut from a soda can and then stained with the alcohol inks.

The faces are created by printing on ink jet transparencies and then using Gel Medium it is transferred to the fabric.

Wings can go up or down. When the wings are up it means there is work to do. When the wings are down it means it is staying with you for awhile and there is still work to do. Do not make one wing up and one wing down since the angel would just fly in circle I think.

Just so you know, there is a difference in fairy wings and angel wings. Fairy wings are in two sections like a butterfly and angel wings are just one full piece.

Muses are the goddesses that inspire creativity.

Hope this helps with the inspiration.

Snowman in Ft. White

2011-01-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

The first snowman was born in Europe during the middle ages. The typical snowman weighs 112 pounds. This one weighs a lot. Probably each roll might be 1500 pounds. He is not going anywhere fast.

Notice his hat, a rubber tire. Aren't we clever up here?

Do you think with a carrot nose that the snowman can still smell carrots?

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A Visit to the Farm

2011-01-02T19:22:00.000-05:00

Old MacDonald had a farm.

An Katelyn found the Cow-O

With a moo moo here.

And a Moo moo there.

Here a chick and there a chick.

Buck buck here.

Why do cows like jokes?
Because they like to be amoosed.

Don't you just love my feet?

I love my feet.

Why isn't the Chicken across the road? Because Katelyn has it in her arms.

And God came down from the heavens, and He said unto the chicken, "Thou shalt cross the road." And the Chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing.

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Christmas gift for Charlotte

2010-12-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

This is a primitive cardigan just for Charlotte.

I did all the embroidery myself.

Cute little back.

Friends dropped over the other night and brought their baby to visit.

Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks.

Can you smell the baby powder?

Ahh the wonder of Christmas.

I have been a very good girl this year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Gingerbread House

2010-12-21T19:31:00.000-05:00

Everyone had a job. First the siding had to be put on the house. Then the roofer, Josh was called. That started the construction of the gingerbread house.

The landscaper came and put in the Christmas bushes. Notice the cute aprons. Grandma made those.

Samantha helped with the candy cane reindeer and was very good at eating the gumdrops. Michael created a storm door on the side for those nasty Christmas tornadoes. Thanks to all the great construction workers.

At the end of the day we were visited by the Sugar Plum Fairy. She is trying on a real ballerina skirt. She even recognizes the Nutcracker Suite music and says that the Princess is coming.

Yummy Gingerbread Cookies

2010-12-13T20:19:00.000-05:00

What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed?
A cookie sheet!

Llama's in the Christmas Parade

2010-12-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen Llama's in a parade? At first I thought they were Alpaca's and they may even be but I am pretty sure they are llamas.

Why do llamas have such long, long necks?
Because their feet really stink.

What a beautiful coat.

Do llamas spit?

They can weigh between 250 and 500 pounds.

LLamas are not ruminates, in case you wanted to know.

Llamas are bigger than Alpacas.
Llamas chew in a figure 8 motion.

Why did the llama cross the road?
Because the chicken was on vacation.

What do you get if you stand between two llamas?

llamanated.

Look at those fluffy tails.

A message from Santa for Charlotte

2010-12-06T21:39:00.000-05:00

My Great Granddaughter

2010-12-05T22:35:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving with Samantha

2010-11-28T20:36:00.000-05:00

Oh boy Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa are here to visit.

I just love it when they come. They always bring Festus and I get to walk him.

This time I made the pumpkin pie.

I am all dressed up and ready for Thanksgiving.

I have my hair in a pony tail.

Fabric Dyeing

2010-11-17T19:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a finished shirt that I used fabric beach to discharge the color. I cut out the stencils. using freezer paper, with my Cuttlebug using the Tim Holtz die cut. The stencils are then ironed on. After that I used an 80/20 solution of bleach and water and spritzed the whole shirt.

Sue Ruda, fiber artiats, taught this class for the American Sewing Guild of Ocala.

What a great teacher she is.

Thanks Sue for the fun day.

Part of the shirt had binder clips added to add more interest to the total design. The neck had blue painters tape cut into scallops. After bleaching i spayed with raspberry and left it over night. I can see just a hint of the raspberry. I just love this shirt.

Here are all the samples of fabric dyeing: using shaving cream, making shibori, and resist dyeing using a mixture of dishwasher soap and bleach.

Great vivid colors. I even dyed lace and doilies.

This piece used large rubber stamps covered with water soluable glue. This is a form of resist dying. I think I love this technique best after the bleaching of the shirt.

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Bats

2010-11-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

Saturday we went to the Bat Festival at Lubee Bat Conservancy near Brooker Florida. We took a very scenic route through Alachua County along tree lined roads with cows gazing in the filed. The temperature was perfect for a convertible ride.

Here at the center, they do research on fruit and nectar bats. Most of the bats come from

Australia and South America.

While I am taking pictures I get up next to a fan that has some caution tape hanging from it. It brushed my hair. You know what I thought was in my hair. I was very close to the blood curdling scream that is common when one gets a bat caught in their hair.

I know you think all these pictures are upside down but the bats really do hang this way.

If you click on this picture to make it bigger you will see a red tongue sticking out.

Luscious fruit was hanging everywhere for these bats.

They sort of look like kites. Their wings even have little hooks for them to hang off of.

This structure was at the site. I think it looks like something from Jurassic Park. There was nothing in these pens but look how high they are. I am sure dinosaurs are in there some where.

Look at that big bat!! Or is that my bat from the Belfry?

Oh yes they are just hanging around. Kind of creepy but very exciting to see.

Art Heart and Healing Class

2010-11-01T19:44:00.000-04:00

I am taking a free class called Art Heart and Healing. Here is our first week's assignment.

Title of this work RE-invent.

The work is done on watercolor paper using Caran de Arches watercolor crayons.

The cogs represent the ability to invent new brain cells, new body image, new look.

This is my first attempt at painting faces. It was fun to learn the shading and the aspect ratio of the eyes, nose and mouth.

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Rust Dyeing Fabric

2010-10-04T21:10:00.000-04:00

This past week I invited two friends over to learn how to rust dye fabric. We used rusted wire, motorcycle sprockets, nails and something square. First wet the fabric with water, then spray with a mixture of vinegar and water. Wait at least 24 hours for the rusting magic to occur.

Ameba Grass

Four Squares a Day

This fabric is called Foggy Mornings. It was created by rusting and then adding tea (tannin) to the iron oxide . This created a mordant that turned the fabric black. It was like doing a chemistry experiment.

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Angelina

2010-09-19T11:45:00.012-04:00

I made this pot from Angelia fibers.
This was another class I took at the Fabric Art Shop.

Creative fun at She Scrapbooks

2010-09-18T11:45:00.001-04:00

These are the books I made at She Scrapbooks. I did the Ink Boot Camp and Glimer and Glam.

Visiting the Villages

2010-09-15T21:37:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we stayed several days at the Waterfront Inn at the Villages. What a great time we had. I took a class at She Scrapbooks. Next post will show you the techniques that I learned.

Waterfront Inn at the Villages

They had the most beautiful sunsets.

Great Restaurants and shopping.

Time to be Silly - Michael and Katelyn

2010-08-01T19:58:00.000-04:00

5 Things I love by Samantha

2010-07-28T16:13:00.000-04:00

Visiting Samantha and her puppy

Bind-It-All Albums

2010-07-27T20:36:00.000-04:00

Template Booklet

I have been taking an online class to learn how to bind albums with the Bind-It-All. What fun I have had.

Decoupage Calendar

Inside Calendar Booklet. See the handmade envelopes.

Acrylic 4x4 booklet

Canvas 6x6 booklet

Gateway pages. Both pages open up for additional pictures.

Split page

Inside calendar album. I digitally added these elements to make and inside page.

Buzzards in High Springs

2010-07-21T19:53:00.000-04:00

We are having a convention of Buzzards in town.

Each day they meet at 6:45PM to talk about the days work.

Then and Now

2010-07-19T11:59:00.000-04:00

Do you believe this? That is Stevie when he was three years old and that is his daughter , Samantha at almost three years old. Look at the eyes and the smile. Stay tuned for more blasts from the past!!!!!
Click on the picture to make it bigger. I am taking another class at Jessica Spargue.com. More digital design work. Yeah!!!!

This might be a sign........

2010-07-18T16:59:00.000-04:00

We were driving home the other day and this was in front of our car. That gives a whole new meaning to Bar-B-Que to go. See the fork hanging on the right. The wood is stacked neatly on the trunk. I bet they have the sauce inside the car. OOOOHHHH I can't wait for the food to be done.

Then I looked out the back window. Yikes we are being stalked by a van held together with rubber bands.

Painting with Sparklers

2010-07-14T21:48:00.000-04:00

Celebrating July 4th

I have learned how to set the camera to "bulb" which allows me to capture sparkler painting.
Michael painted Katelyn's car.

See the snowman. Look at the bottom of the photo. There are three Katelyns........

This was the masterpiece. It took three volunteers...Michael, Katelyn and Franna Nanna. Each sparkler was tied to a string. The idea was to make a tunnel.
In case you want to know the mosquito's were just awful.

This is a secret message.
Can you tell what it says.
Only Katelyn knows.

Card class with Jessica Sprague: Hybrid / Digital

2010-07-05T20:17:00.000-04:00

Just a few of the cards I made this week.

This card used watercolor paper.

I first did the watercolor and let it dry and then printed the flowers with the ink jet printer.

Wow, look I found matching envelopes for this card.

This is a picture of the clouds off Clearwater Beach.

Fairy Godmother of Etiquette

2010-06-21T16:19:00.007-04:00

Once upon a time there was a Fairy Godmother of Etiquette.

She taught the children to say please and thank you.

See the fairy dust.

Say the magic words and smiles will be all around you.

Oh what a tiny horse. Now this is magic!!!!!

When I moved from south Florida I was sure I had left all the Fairy Godmothers there shopping at Bloomies. But NO!!!

Here they are in High Springs.....waving the Queen's wave.

(Hello Helen)

Sometimes the Fairy Godmother of Etiquette goes overboard.

Join me in the Congo line anyone?

Many of the children came to me and said "I love you Fairy Godmother!"

Oh my what a fun day, nothing like a crown and a wand to create magic.

Fairy Princess Tea Party

2010-06-20T14:45:00.013-04:00

This is my magic wand. Owned by the Fairy Godmother of Etiquette.

Samantha came for the day to be a Fairy Princess.

Every child received a crown.

The real hit at the party were the tiny little horses.

The photographer came as the Photo Fairy and really got into costume.

Many of the children came in fairy princess dresses.

Snow White made an appearance.

Oh I wish you could have seen this darling dress. It was so beautiful.

Love the hat.

Everyone was given a magic wand and there sure was magic in the air.

Are those just the cutest wings you have ever seen?

Shari the Fairy Godmother of Make-up. She put little stars on all the children's faces and made them up so beautiful. The children loved the makeup fairy.

Fairy Godmother Arlene is to be thanked for her vision to have this tea party.

This is Merri the Tooth Fairy. She made little molar and pink toothbrush cookies. Many of the children thanked her for the money they found under their pillows.

Fairy Godmother of Feathers, Allison, has a peacock that lives in her yard. Oh I hope she did not pull those feather out of that bird. Allison is a former elementary school teacher and taught us to talk in quite voices and march around the room to "It's a Small World." Next thing we knew we were doing the Congo line, so much for decorum.

Ayurveda Yoga School

2010-06-15T20:41:00.004-04:00

My friend Shari King just graduated from the Ayurveda Inspiration Yoga School. This is a tribute to her and all the graduates.

Click on the Picture on the Right to go to Picasa Web site to see all the photos.

Enjoy the slide show.

Create your own free slideshow

Fairy Princess Tea Party Invitation

2010-06-13T18:25:00.006-04:00

Please Join me for an enchanted afternoon for a Fairy Princess Tea Party

on June 19, 2010 at 2:00

in High Springs, Florida.

It will be held at the New Century Woman's Club at 40 N.W. 1st Avenue in High Springs.

Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under 16.

Tickets available online

www.Horse-therapy.org

I have been busy making crowns for the Fairy Godmothers and the Fairy Princesses.

Oh this crown needed just a touch of whimsy.
This is for the Fairy Godmother of Inspirational Makeup...AKA Shari King

Not to be outdone I am the Fairy Godmother of Decorum.

Or I could be the Ice Princess. Wait until you see my dress, all sequins with Cinderella shoes.

This event is a charity tea to benefit the Minature Therapy horses that do such good work in brightening the day for sick children and elderly patients.

Remember the magic word when you come

Abracadabra

Voila!!! the little horses will be there with tuxedos on and sparking nails and stars in their eyes.

New Haircut

2010-06-10T15:51:00.006-04:00

This is my new haircut. I had it done at Penny's in Lake City.

This is Nick my new hairdresser.

Is this a fabulose design?

Nothing like a star. This is Xenea.

Apalachicola

2010-05-10T19:51:00.006-04:00

When you visit Apalachicola, which means people on the other side of the river, it is all about oysters. Oyster Rockefeller, fried, steamed and raw.

I think I might have a fetish for doors and windows. Who was the storekeeper for this one?

Could you buy Nehi here? Orange grape or root beer?

I want to get a new book.
Just walking along, singing a song.
Bye, bye birdie......

Shrimp boats at sunrise.

Oh what a beautiful morning....... All the birds were so cooperative with my photo shoot.

We are quite adaptable. Maybe we can try out for Cirque du soleil.

Whew your feet smell.

Ethel what do you think? I don't know George...What do you think?

I think the lady with the camera is crazy.

Magnolia Kitty

2010-05-01T15:56:00.003-04:00

Do you just love this picture? I think it looks like a post card or could even be a poster. This is my friend's Shari's cat Magnolia. She is going to live at the Madhatters. I guess that means she is going to be in Alice and Wonderland. This picture was taken with my little Cannon Power shot. Sometimes when the light is right and you have a cute subject it does not matter if you have the big camera.

Stanley and Buddy Visit High Springs Pioneer Days

2010-04-25T19:45:00.010-04:00

High Springs Pioneer Days April 24, 25, 2010. One of the pioneers in the shoot out re-enactment.

Vendor selling African dolls.

Great headpiece.

My what big eyes you have.........The better to see you with.

What a big nose you have.......The better to smell you.

My is that a big tongue.........The better to lick you all over and give you kisses.

Oh you big baby. This is Buddy. He was visiting the High Springs Pioneer Festival and I just had to take his picture. He thinks he is the champion and I think so too.

Stanley is that you?

Woodcarving

Leftovers from the bar-b-que.

Gator Country....Yeah go gators....9 picks in the NFL draft.
I think I will become a Bronco fan.

Alachua Spring Festival

2010-04-23T19:17:00.010-04:00

Greyhounds enjoying the stroll to the festival. The greyhound is one of the oldest breeds dating back to 8000 years ago. Pictures of greyhounds were found on vases in ancient Egypt. I guess these dogs are only 200 years old.

Have no idea what this breed of dog is, but what a great look. It looks like the dog from Annie.

What was the name of that dog?

Gourds for sale.
The gourd is a symbol for the Resurrection.

I just wanted you to know that I have entered the snapdragon phase of my life. Part of me has snapped and the other part of me is dragging.

Star jasmine has a fragant smell. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Can you guess what this is? Oh no not the dreaded elephant jokes.
How do you keep an elephant from passing thought the eye of a needle?

Tie a knot it its tail.

Remember the elephant joke about how you know an elephant has been in your refrigerator....You will find foot prints in the butter.
Ok now just laugh your head off like we did when we were eight years old.

How do you stop a charging elephant?....take away his credit cards.

What do elephants do for laughs? They tell people jokes. Enough already you are killing me.

Just Fun Stuff

2010-04-13T19:59:00.003-04:00

Busy as a BEE.

More pictures shot in Camera Raw.

Stained glass at the Springs Arts Festival in Gainesville.

Is this the hole that Alice fell in?

Stay tuned for some Alice creations.

Springtime

2010-04-06T20:38:00.011-04:00

Samantha in her Easter dress and hat.
Pink of course.!!!!!

Dogwoods in bloom are a sure a sign that spring is here.

All of these pictures have been processed in Camera Raw. I am taking classes on Lynda.com and it is like a sickness. I can't get enough of the information.

This is the first year I put up a finch feeder and now we are being eaten out of house and home with all the beautiful yellow finches.

Molly was invited to an Easter party and she jumped into the swimming pool for her first swim of the season.

Look at how bold the colors are on these chickens. One of them even laid an egg just for me.

Edward is looking fine.

Stay tuned for more Camera Raw images once I learn how to use all the dials.

Celebrating Charlotte

2010-03-28T20:04:00.004-04:00

Oh yes this is a celebration of Charlotte, our great granddaughter....but it really is a celebration of getting a new Wacom Intuos4 graphics tablet and Photoshop 4. I know, I know. You'all are saying "Get out of here." Or maybe you are saying "What?" I decided since I now have the full version of Photoshop I needed to take all of the Jessica Sprague classes over. These layouts are from her Up and Running Class.

Now one might think why would you have to redo all the layouts. I have Photoshop Elements 8 and although it is wonderful it can't do all the things I wanted it to do. I also found out that there are so many other buttons to push is n the full version. You know how I like to push buttons

I thought I would never learn where the drop shadow was located. I dedicated these photos to Charlotte because Katie her Mom is so artistic and would appreciate the hours that went into the creations.

I can't wait to learn about actions as well.

The graphics tablet is awesome. I can't wait to take Jessica Spragues class on the tablet. Now if I only had more hours in the day.

Trenton Quilt Show

2010-03-14T20:26:00.002-04:00

Saturday Trenton had their annual Quilt show. It was a beautiful day and all the town had quilts hanging outside or indoors.

ThThis looks like a brick quilt. It is quite large.
The detail on this beautiful quilt is phenominal.

Trenton quilt show 035c
Originally uploaded by rceleste

I am testing how to upload photos from Flicker. What great aprons.

More Digital Multi Media

2010-03-07T15:03:00.005-05:00

Oh the magic of digital photography. I have been taking pictures and manipulating them in Photoshop Elements 8. I have attached the original picture to each artistic creation.

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

Flower Fireworks

This is our home in Fort White.

Garden Lady

Birds in our Yard

2010-02-21T19:53:00.008-05:00

My Father always told the story of the big Tom turkey that just wandered up into the yard and found his way into the pot for a good Sunday meal.

Living on a farm and hunting for your food was very much a part of everyday life.

Isn't it amazing that this turkey looks just like that one. Oh wait it is that one. This turkey just wandered up in our yard but it is NOT going to find its way into my pot. First I don't think I have pot big enough to hold it and second I am NOT going to pluck all those feathers.

There are some birds that you hunt and there are some birds that hunt. This is one of those hunters. This beautiful hawk is making a nest in a tree close to our home. He was just sitting around and creating a lot of squawking.

How to make a Cricut Bag

2010-02-16T19:22:00.016-05:00

I wanted a bag to carry my Cricut machine to and from classes. When I looked on the Internet I was astounded at the prices. Some of my friends have purchased a ready-made bag and they find it is difficult to put the Circut in it and the seams are already ripping.

I adapted the Miranda Bag from Lazy Girl to make this large bag. I stitched the ends of the bag so it would hold more of a rectangle shape and not wing out. Material list is at the end of this post. I made a fabric rose using this video. I made my fabric into a 1 1/2 inch tube to roll it into the rose. It really is one of those projects that you just keep rolling until it looks like a rose.
This is not a project for a beginner sewer. On a scale from 1 - 5, it is about a 3.
I used the Cricut box for my measurements.

See the area that a 5 inch square is cut from the bottom.

Sew on the pocket strip before the bag is put together.

Place the pockets above the 5 inch square at least 1 inch from the bottom. Note the pockets are larger that the bag. They will get cut off later.

Make sure to center your straps at least 4 inches from the midpoint.

Add velcro for the fastener and sew down the straps that go around the bag for greater stability.

I quilted the outside fabric, after much whining.

Stitching the topstitch for the inside fabric.

This is quite a large piece measuring over 35 inches by 17 on just one side.

This is the bottom and inside of the bag. It has the cover fabric, a layer of batting and then
iron-on heavy craft pellon to give it shape. Use long pins to put together. I also used a walking foot to sew on this piece.

I thought it was a nice touch to embroider my initials on the bag.

Finding the rings was the hardest part. I finally went to Goodwill and bought an old purse and cut the rings off.

The inside has pockets for all your Circut tools and a few cartridges.
Use the cardboard inset in your Cricut box for the stiff bottom. You will need to make a sleeve for it. Cut fabric 9 1/2 x 23 1/2. Cut one side on the fold and use 1/4 inch seams.

See how nice the Cricut fits in the bag.

I have even used my Circut to cut vinyl letters to adhere to the outside.

Materials Needed:

2 yards outside fabric
2 yards inside fabric
4 - 5 yards interfacing depending on the width
2 yards batting
4 rings
2 inches velcro

Cutting Pieces

Cover Cut 4 17 1/2 x 18 Batting is cut the same size
Lining Cut 2 34 x 19
Interfacing Cut 2 34 x 20
Pockets Cut 2 9 1/2 x 35
Straps Cut 6 3 1/2 x 23
Flap Cut 2 3 1/2 x 7
Sleeve Cut on fold 9 1/2 x 23 1/2 ( 1/4 inch seams)

Olustee Battle Reenactment Blue and Gray

2010-02-14T19:10:00.007-05:00

The pictures tell the story.

Come Visit my Digital Art Show

2010-02-07T19:48:00.006-05:00

I have just finished taking Memories and Manipulations from DJ Pettit. It is a digital art class using Photoshop Elements 8 to create unusual art. This is my art show just for my digital viewers.

The Barn

Angels Among Us

Sweet Charlotte
staring my great grand daughter.

When I grow up

staring Katie Almosta Beck.

The Ride is Free

Cows

in Gilchrist County

Blue Angel

taken on the Santa Fe River. Can you find the cat?

Sweetie

Tiffany's cat that passed away this year.

Visit to West Palm Beach

2010-02-01T18:34:00.004-05:00

I returned to Palm Beach Community College only to find out that the name had been changed . It is now called Palm Beach State College. Good thing they did not move the campus or I never would have found it. I had a wonderful visit with old friends and colleagues.Jeannine Burgess and Dr. Chris Columbo filled me in on all the new things going here.Dr. Offiong Mkpong is still just as wonderful as he always was.Jose is still keeping the building looking so good. We shared stories about the Masons. Sam came by to let me know that there are still plenty of pink flowers on the campus. Thanks Sam.

"Crash Cart Carolyn" is still the Diva of Online Learning. She is just the best!!!!!

AND THEN IT HAPPENED!!!!!

Our front tire blew out on the motor home at mile marker 136.

Sheesh we just left!!!!

We did make it to the South Florida Fair. Big Steve wanted ice cream.

We had a great visit and will be back next year.

Miniature Carousel Horse visits Cadance

2010-01-03T20:36:00.008-05:00

This is the tiniest horse I have ever seen. I am talking small, tiny, miniature...you get the picture. I think it might be a small unicorn who has not grown his horn yet. Or better yet it is a horse that has come alive after living on a carousel. The children that rode him wished and wished for him to be a real horse and here he is. Maybe his father was Gipetto.

Blue eyes are a sure sign of magical powers. I think he might sprout wings at any time and be the Winged Warrior.

Children love him. I think he is sleeping and dreaming of miracles that he can perform. Wake up magical pony.

Just one kiss and my prince will come. I wonder where the fairies are.

Come with me and we will fly away to never never land.

I only need one wish. Please just grant me that.

If I hug you can I have a wish also?

Dad is keeping a watchful eye for dragons and other mystical creatures that might take the dreams away.

If you want to know more about these therapy horses visit this web site.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses

Fill er Up, Fill er Up, Fill er Up

2010-01-01T19:55:00.005-05:00

A Blue Moon can be quite rare. Our blue moon occurred on December 31, 2009, New Year's Eve. In fact the next blue moon will not occur in December until 2028. There are special magical powers of the blue moon that one must capture. Take your purse or wallet or a bag if you do not have the other and hold up to let the moon beams fill your container.

If you don't have a purse, borrow one. Is that Samantha's or Stevie's? My it looks nice with your outfit. Even Big Steve gets into the festivities. Sometimes people get blessed in other ways. I think Katelyn received the good luck turtle, which provides you with long life. She also has on the magic bracelet.

Chant: "Fill er Up, Fill er Up Fill er Up" three times. This will bring you great wealth in the next year. See how the whole family participates in these pagan rituals. My sister really gets in the spirit.

Our Grandson graduates from Austin Peavy

2009-12-31T15:03:00.004-05:00

Dum dum ta dum ta dum dum......The gradution march. It is almost time.

The loving family. Look he got a can of pick-up-sticks.

Mom is so proud.

Joyce, Jeffrey Charlotte and Steve.

The proud Grandparents.

The graduate in his new suit going for the celebration luncheon.
Way to go Jeffrey.

Flip Flip Flip The Movie

2009-12-30T19:50:00.003-05:00

Santa Claus was so good to me this year. I got the new Flip video. It is the same size as my small digital camera and fits in my purse. This is my first video and movie. It is only 48 seconds long. I have much to learn.

Visiting the Relatives

2009-12-15T18:32:00.005-05:00

Uncle Ned is showing off his new dentures. He always was such an old goat.Festus loves the cousins. He like to play beard with them, but all they want to do is butt heads. Katie is getting married and is showing off her white wedding dress. My it is lovely.

Wait who is that? Isn't that just like Merri the artist to show off her latest mixed media creation.

Ed, the talking horse has nothing to say right now.

Visiting family is fun when you are in Calhoun ,Georgia on your way to Tennessee. It is 49 degrees and windy.

We arrived in Atlanta at 2:18 and the roadways were just smooth sailing. Oh no, we just got on the wrong road. With that Big Steve took us on a great tour of the lovely old neighborhoods of Buckhead though roads left over from the horse and carriage days. There were times when he was driving on the sidewalks. I hope no one noticed. Next time I am getting him the Tour Guide cap and microphone.

Comfort Foods

2009-12-13T18:35:00.006-05:00

Have you ever eaten one of these? It is an Oriental doughnut. It was really too pretty to eat. I looked all over the Internet and could not find one picture of this food. I did taste it and it had a bread outer layer and inside a creamy chocolate custard.Eating at the Cheesecake Factory in Tampa is always a treat. This could be quite a fabulous hat.

The best food is always eaten with good friends. Nothing like beef stew and dumplings. My friend Shari invited us for dinner Saturday night and made this great dish.
Stew cooked in an old iron pot is just the best. She glazed the carrtos and onions in red wine and sugar. YUM!!!

Farmer's Market High Springs

2009-11-17T19:56:00.007-05:00

Thursday is Farmer's Market Day in High Springs. Who is that man waiting for the market to open?

There are plants, vegetables and other great delights for sale.
Look at these gourds.

The fruit is just beautiful.

Oh my Shataki mushrooms. We may be a small rural town but that does not stop us from having the finest.

Dinner at the Great Outdoors

2009-11-12T19:43:00.003-05:00

Thursday night we dined at The Great Outdoors Restaurant here in High Springs. The meal started off with warm crusty bread and whipped butter. The house salad was delivered on a cold plate with creamy ranch dressing, blue cheese and glazed nuts.The blue plate special for the evening was blackened chicken served with a light Alfredo sauce with fresh sauteed tomatoes and chunks of garlic.

I noticed that we have not had any vampires around for a long time.

I was trying out my new flash and 50 mm lens.

Visiting the Granddaughter

2009-11-08T20:16:00.004-05:00

Samantha has a new name for her grandpa. It is Ba Ba. I was sure that it was Babar since I am Queen Celeste. So Big Steve is now Babar.

Long live King Babar!!!

A-door-ables

2009-10-27T19:38:00.003-04:00

Recently the American Sewing Guild of Ocala held it's Annual Luncheon. Each member of the organizing committee was asked to make 10 A-door-ables to give as favors for the luncheon.I made 15 so I could keep some. It was hard to decide which ones to keep.These cute little gifts can be used to hold glasses, potpourri, small flowers or just about anything you need to keep handy. The pattern can be purchased from this web site. Adoorables
You could even hide the remote control from your husband. He would never think to look in there. These make lovely gifts for a small thank you.

Monster Mash

2009-10-20T19:34:00.000-04:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Scarecrow Row Alachua, Florida

2009-10-18T20:03:00.006-04:00

This Sunday Alachua Florida held their Fall Festival complete with scarecrow Row.

Just in case you do not think that scarecrows are still being employed I thought you should see one at work. He keeps his vigil on a beautiful garden here in High Springs.

Now there is one scary lady. The sign reads you should only be scary one day a year. It is sponsored by a clothing store.

Yeah for the Red, White and Blue!!!!

It was a beautirful day and this year the scarecrows were the best.

More Confederate Roses

2009-10-12T20:31:00.003-04:00

Now I know what is eating all the leaves. Get away grasshopper.
At night the flowers turn pink to rose. The bees like the color.

This is what the flower looks llike in the morning.

Cookie Painting

2009-10-05T22:21:00.000-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Traxler Fall Festival

2009-10-04T20:06:00.011-04:00

We visited the Traxler Fall Festival held at the Springhill Methodist Church that was established in 1860. It is a beautiful church with lovely people. They had a barbecue, craft fair and bake sale. I think we go just for the bake sale as the Ladies of the church must be the best cooks in the whole county. We just had to buy a whole Italian Cream cake. Let me tell you it is fab. This is Bellamy Road, one of the oldest roads in the area. I have always loved a canopy of oaks. A Civial War soldier.

The festival was on October 3, 2009. I said a little prayer for this tiny child. He is gone but not forgotten.

The cemetary has graves from many slaves as well as the pioneer families of this area.

My birthday Week

2009-09-20T19:16:00.003-04:00

This past week I celebrated my birthday. This is the cake the Jill made for me. She baked it in two Pyrex bowls, covered with icing and then made hard candy to decorate the ball just like a real mosaic bowling ball. The candy really looks like stained glass and the cake was delicious.

This is the second mosaic bowling ball in the Circus Series.

Every year my sister outdoes herself with finding me just the right spider for my birthday. This a huge hanging one with blue eyes.

The Confederate Roses are blooming. They start out rose and then turn white.

No birthday is complete without pale pink roses. All in all it was a very happy birthday.

Playing with Digital Layouts

2009-09-10T20:36:00.003-04:00

After the computer crash, I lost all my digital supplies. I am just now getting all new embellishments, papers and all the things one needs to do digital scrapbooking. Take another look at Charlotte's birthday.

Happy Birthday Charlotte

2009-09-06T21:22:00.004-04:00

My Great Grand Daughter turned one year old on September 5. Happy First Birthday Charlotte

Digital Scrapping of the Wedding

2009-09-04T14:43:00.003-04:00

After taking the pictures of my first photography shoot of a wedding, I thought I should print out some of the pictures and frame them. This is special just for Kim and Tom. I also wanted to practice my digital scrapbooking skills by making an 8x8 book that has 12 pages of the wedding ceremony.

One of my favorite photos was the one of the parents of the groom. I just had to do something special with that picture. The bride and groom are looking lovingly in the corner of the print.

I gave this to the groom's parents in a frame.

Ducks

2009-09-01T20:37:00.000-04:00

Visit my Goatfeather's Studio

2009-08-23T19:43:00.004-04:00

Welcome to my Goatfeather's Studio. Here is where I create all my magic. The Gnome guards my place day and night and has even left me stars.

I can do all my hobbies here including stained glass, painting, jewelery making and of course sewing.

No studio is complete without an Iguana guarding the Tea Room.

Mosaic Art Deco Bowling Ball

2009-08-18T19:37:00.002-04:00

This is my second mosaic bowling ball. I have named it the Art Deco Piece because of the colors, pink, gray, black and sliver. This is the beginning of the messy part of grouting the whole ball.

First make sure to fill the finger holes with wood putty. Then sand the ball to help the mastic hold. The decision on the design is always the hardest part. I have been mulling on this design for about 6 months. The ball is made with 1 inch tiles, cut mirror, pink stained glass and large glass molten round globs.

Oh dear Deer in the yard!!!!!

2009-08-17T16:17:00.002-04:00

This morning I looked out in the yard and this is what I found. We live on five acres and there is a deer run across the front of our property that goes into the raven. This is the big daddy buck. He is keeping watch over his herd.

Look baby is getting a drink.

Good Grief it is a whole herd.

Oh just like Bambi.

Nothing like wildlife to start your day right.

Strange things in Florida

2009-08-12T20:23:00.008-04:00

This spider was over six inches long. Don't you wonder how I got this picture. You could here me screaming for miles around.

Huge insects down here.

Cigar stores are abundant in Ybor City.

This grasshopper is changing its skin.

There are some very large birds at the Gulf. I think it might be a pterodactyl.

Trip to Tampa

2009-08-11T18:56:00.005-04:00

This is Jeffrey , our grandson and his fiance, Katie and our Great grand daughter Charlotte. What a beautiful family.

( If you click on the pictures they will get bigger)

She is a classic baby. I can see her on the Gerber jar now.
Aunt Samantha, our Grand daughter was delighted to have her niece visit.
Are they just the sweetest?

My garden

2009-08-04T10:40:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trip to Red Bay, Alabama

2009-08-02T17:12:00.009-04:00

This house gives whole new meaning to yard art.

In Frosythe Georgia they were renovating the old courthouse.

Canadian Geese were visiting at the pond the first night we stayed in Georgia.

Kim and Tom's Wedding My first photo shoot of a Wedding

2009-07-26T20:58:00.000-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Things that go......KA-BOOM

2009-07-09T19:47:00.006-04:00

Ka-boom a tree fell on our motor home, Jeep, storage shed, trailer, and fence. Then my external hardrive with all my pictures and photoshop things went ka-boom. Lost everything.

Of course the fourth of July gives us a reason to celebrate ka-boom.

I was so excited that I finally learned how to use the slow shutter speed to capture the fireworks.

I used my new long lens and set up on a tripod.

We went to Lake City where they were celebrating the Fourth as well as their 150th anniversary.

Look very closely in the center. What do you see? Is it Michael Jackson?
Quick let me put this on ebay.

This one says it all. Happy Birthday America. Thanks to all our service men and women who are on foreign soil. This is a ka-boom celebration for you.

Charm Swap Cloth Paper Scissors

2009-06-15T20:22:00.005-04:00

LOOK at these beautiful charms I recieved in the mail.

I was so excited when the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors announced a charm swap. All you had to do was to make 10 charms and send them in and then you would get 10 different charms in return from other artists.

Belle's Birthday Party

2009-06-07T19:17:00.005-04:00

My best friend in the whole wide world invited me to her birthday party.

Hurry let's get to the party.

Look there is cake and everything.

Do I have to wear this silly hat?
Yes and you do too.

I like my new bandanna. Look it has my name on it. Thanks Molly.

Belle's Mom, Allison raises chickens. Edward is checking out the chicken to see if he wants to be a chicken farmer.

Thank you Belle. I had a wonderful time at the party.

So Many Hats

2009-06-05T16:23:00.003-04:00

I am taking another digital scrapping class. I just learned how to cut apart a photo and make a collage. This is my friend Dottie who is helping out with a tea party. Check out her hat fashion show.

Molly and Belle

2009-05-19T20:06:00.004-04:00

This is Molly's new best friend Belle. Belle called Molly and said come over for a quick romp and swim. Molly packed her little swimsuit and ball and charged out the door.

Belle likes to stand on the top step and cool her toes. Molly, " Let's jump in!!!"

Belle, " Are you crazy? And get my fur wet!!"

Look this is the way it is done. Grab the ball and swim.

Go Molly get the ball and bring it to me......

Hey come back here with the ball. Look you are all wet. Let's run really fast.

Gosh Molly you sure do like the water.

Hey Grandma and Grandpa...Look at me wheee.....

Footnote: Oh brother I guess I have way too much time on my hands.