Hello Blogger my old friend...

I'm here to write in you again...

So I guess the 1st thing is WELCOME 2014!

Yes, indeed, it has been -that- long since the blog has been updated.

No apologies though, LIFE LIFE and LIFE has been happening,

 ...and THAT, is always a good thing. 

First things First, 

Keepsake's Crafts is no longer in operation, so the Facebook page is now down...

Pop on over the the SHINY *NEW* Days End Studio Page to keep really-really up-to-date on what's happening here at Days End!

 https://www.facebook.com/daysendstudio

Now onto a wee summtin' about what's been happening...

Made donation art for Poet's Vision Aussie Rescue:

 

'Coffee First'

 

'Puppy Kisses'

We've also suffered our losses... and celebrated our gains...

In February we welcome Poncho the cat to Days End Studio...

In April we lost Hope, our bunny... 

Closely followed by the loss of Greg's 95 year old Grandmother 'Cupper'...

We also welcomed baby Saffron to the fold...

 Poncho and Hope

 6 week old Saffron

More recently, I was quite honored to have the chance to do my 'thing' for a fundraiser for the Ottawa Humane Society, helped prettify the DS Plumbing Dog House for a local auction event. 

I won't load the post down with a million photos but you can see the whole thing here:

 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1443380652584658.1073741857.1422280924694631&type=3

The Ottawa Citizen covered the event and reported the next day:

http://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/designer-doghouses-raise-more-than-10000-for-humane-society

...and there was a GREAT follow-up BLOG post:
http://homeswithwoofs.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/our-homes-with-woofs-event-a-howling-success/

 LOTS LOTS more has been going on...

and 

LOTS LOTS more coming up...

But you know...

SPOILERS!

Donation Art: Spain-ward-Bound!

This is a piece I made for a 'local cause'... 

A durn' good one too. :) 

Helping out the daughter of a dear friend. 

You can check out the event here:

 https://www.facebook.com/events/166151973582347/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar&source=1

And Please do! 

If you are not in Ottawa and would like to help out there ARE ways, just contact the event host. 

Quickie overview:

 This is a fundraiser to help Miranda get to an exchange program in Spain. She is super excited to practice her Spanish living with a family there. She is also looking forward to learning the momma's recipes!
The school's Principal is behind the plan to get Miranda to Spain. He has said if we can raise at least $1,500 he will make sure she goes.
Beside the bake and art sale, we'll be having a raffle. 

I won't blather, there are TONS of pictures below that are worth a few 1000 words at least. ;) 

Finished piece measured 14" X 11" before framing. 

***************************************************

Re-Fabbing of the Frame...

Terrible 'Hotel Lobby' Style print... Gotta Go!

Matte was sponged in glossy black...

Frame sponged in 3 shades of Red...

**************************************************

De-Progression of the Piece...

Finished and unframed

Finished: Close-Ups

She emerges...

 

The Outline...

The Outline: Close-Up

Bottom Right sheet of Made-Mixed-Media Paper is the background in this piece...

Apple Project, Part 2: Grungy Steampunk

Recently, through an Art Group on Facebook, a bunch of us 'artists' were asked to 'decorate an apple' for a fundraiser being held by one of the members... 

Was playing Teacher's Pet so *I* got two!

I've split the 2 projects into separate Blog Posts because there are lots of pictures of both apples. 

****************

***But 1st a message about the cause from Sarah Willgohs***

The fundraiser will benefit Will Go Where, a non-profit supporting teachers who want to take their students on transformational education trips. Teachers will be able to apply for funds and then use those funds to raise the additional money required for the trip. Teachers who teach in schools that have high free/reduced lunch programs, rural schools, and those with 8 or less years in the classroom will be given priority.
I'm hoping the fundraiser will be ready for August and there will be an online presence so if friends/family or anyone who wants to bid on the apples, will be able to do so.

 *****************

Part 2:

For my 2st Apple I had, had, HAD to make a Steampunk one... 'cause I'm *me*. 

This apple was a true labour of love... many, many days of layers and drying.

I LOVE IT!

Entire apple was sliced shallowly into 'sections, then painted with various metallic paints and finally dry brushed to make it good'n'grundy.

Gears inside are held in with brads, nails, pins and needles. I tried to use 3D Crystal lacquer but there was an odd chemical reaction with the metal, resulting in a curious blue fluid that refuses to dry. It looks wonderful! Happy accident just adds to the mystery... and looks a lot like some kind of mechanical oil. 

The window is packaging left over from some beads, held in with copper colored 3D Crystal Lacquer. 

The Key 'stem' is also attached with 3DCL. 

Studs are a mixture of brads (normal and screw head) and mini-pins (gold and silver)

Must say this apple weighs a LOT more then it did when it arrived! lol

Both apples are packed and ready to ship... off to a good cause!

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Project, Part 1: Lowly the Worm & Apple Car

Recently, through an Art Group on Facebook, a bunch of us 'artists' were asked to 'decorate an apple' for a fundraiser being held by one of the members... 

Was playing Teacher's Pet so *I* got two!

I've split the 2 projects into separate Blog Posts because there are lots of pictures of both apples. 

****************

***But 1st a message about the cause from Sarah Willgohs***

The fundraiser will benefit Will Go Where, a non-profit supporting teachers who want to take their students on transformational education trips. Teachers will be able to apply for funds and then use those funds to raise the additional money required for the trip. Teachers who teach in schools that have high free/reduced lunch programs, rural schools, and those with 8 or less years in the classroom will be given priority.
I'm hoping the fundraiser will be ready for August and there will be an online presence so if friends/family or anyone who wants to bid on the apples, will be able to do so.

 *****************

Part 1:

For my 1st Apple I made Lowly of Richard Scarry's Busy Town and his Apple Car.

 

These books were a large part of my childhood/school life, so this made it very personal for me. 

VERY appropriate for the cause too!

 For you unfortunate souls not in the know:

Lowly the Worm:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowly_Worm

Richer Scarry's Busy Town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busytown

 

Lowly himself is made from a Q-tip dipped in Gel Medium 3X and left to dry between each layer. Do NOT ask how long this takes *grumble* Then painted... The hat is a bit of Mulberry Paper, yellow paint and a snip off a real feather.

The car window is cut from a 2L pop bottle (Thank-You Diet Dr. Pepper!) and attached with 2 sided tape.

The wheels were 'donated' by one of my son's deceased Hot Wheels cars. They were embedded in a chunk of foam which I painted black. 

Leaf is thick board taped on and heavily painted. 

Both apples are packed and ready to ship... off to a good cause!