Toot!!! on Steampunk Canada...

I'd like to share a bit of news.

My Art is featured this week on the front page of Steampunk Canada:
http://www.steampunkcanada.ca
I'm thrilled and honored.
Do stop by to have a look, stay have a cup of Tea and browse awhile... lots to see and do on the site.

I myself feel like I'm walking through a dream today, mostly because I should still be asleep. lol Greg and I attended a wonderful 2 hour class 'Steampunk Dance for Fancy Balls' yesterday. herm... yes, I have a few pictures of us 'dancing' but I'm not sharing them. 4 left feet between the 2 of us, though it felt like 6 or 8 at times.
I will share this picture though:
Us on arrival at the dance studio before removing hats, jackets and weapons. ;O)This week marked the 2 year anniversary of the Steampunk Ottawa Group so after the class we all met at The Black Rose Pub to celebrate.
Hard to decided what clothing was 'danceable' and yet also 'nicer' for the following festivities. That skirt was a big ol' FAIL for the dancing, waaay too long. I'll have to hem it before we go to The Canadian National Steampunk Expo (CNSE).
Apparently parts of both the Dance Class and the Pub Night are going to be on YouTube at some point. Will let you know when I know something more solid, like a link.

I snarfed this picture from a friend's album on Facebook.
This was taken when we were at the 2nd anniversary Shin-Dig.Then we finished off the day with a late, late, late night (Read: 4 am-ishy) Movie Night here with friends.

Today the 1st order of business will be to hunt down some caffeination, an IV would be nice... Then I have an Etsy sale to Bag & Tag, 2 Design Team pages to get done and YES YES YES kids to get ready to go back to school tomorrow.
March Break is OVER. I do so love my boyz but it will be nice to have some routine back tomorrow morning after a week of chaos.

I also have Portal #2 sitting here ready to start getting filled.
Here's a hint...
Alice in Wonderland.
I'm stuck on Chess Pieces... I NEED some but I don't want to break up a set I much prefer to use a set that's toss-away because it's missing something. I think a 2nd hand store foray may be in the offing once the kids are off tomorrow. ;O)

Coffee, Packaging and Verk' Verk' Verk!

Scrapping the Music #166: "Wide Open Spaces..."

Challenge #166 "Wide Open Spaces..."

This time we are challenging you with "Wide Open Spaces," by the Dixie Chicks!
There are so many ways you could go with these lyrics!
We found this song inspiring to scrap with and we hope you do too!
***********************
I put together a layout about my Studio.
We recently (May 2010) overhauled it, maaaaajorly.
New Paint (Firework Orange... I just love that I have *Fireworks* on the walls! lol),
lots & lots of shelves, major organizing and labeling.
It's a bit messier now *blushing* I'm not Messy, I'm Creative! (nuh-huh...)

Journaling:
IMAGINATION lives here...
i am an artist, life is art
art is life...
my creative outlet
A space to create...
created at long last! After
2 years of preperations:
SUNSHINE STUDIO was made.
A place to create. Being able to
leave thin gs out has helped a lot.
-May 2010-
She needs wide open spaces
Room to make her big mistakes BE UNIQUE
...and in ART there are no mistakes
only learning experiences.
-Bob Abrahams-
Will you play with me?

Background paper is liberally sprayed with a rainbow of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists.
Patterned Paper is DCWV: The Crafty Stack
Imagine is a My Big Ideas chipboard title.
lives here... are Thickers.
Rubs-Ons are Daisy Bucket (colored) and Melissa Frances (black).
Journal Block is BoBunny: Sunkissed patterned paper.

Just a quick reminder:
Don't miss out on your chance for BLOG CANDY...
400th post is
HERE
Just leave a comment for an entry!
and/or
Become a Follower for even more chances at prizes!
I will be drawing a winner on Friday February 25th

400th POST= BLOG CANDY! ...and a Steampunk Project teaser.

That time again...

We have reached 400 Posts... Draw Time!
(Draw for every 100th post)
also
We are at 66 followers,
only 9 more til the next draw!
(Draw for every 25 followers)

and you all know what that means...
BLOG CANDY!!!

To win the POST Blog Candy:
All you need to do is leave a comment on THIS post. (no need to be a follower)
I'll wait a week, then make the draw and announce the winner Friday February 25th.

To win the FOLLOWER Blog Candy:
Be a follower!
That simple... at 75 I will draw and announce a winner.
I will make another goodie bag up and we'll do another draw at 100 followers, 125 followers etc...

I'll pull those 2 prize packs together and post pictures as soon as I can!
*******************************
In the meantime...
Sneak peek as what's been eating up all my time & energy:
I'm waiting to hear back from a show I've submitted it to,
so I can't share it *all* til I hear back, either way.
I've started a new line of creations called 'Portals'.
Q: What is a Portal?
A: A Portal is a Door.
Q: Door to where?
A: Open the door and find out.
First in a series of fantastical Doors (ie. Portals) that when opened give you a glimpse at another time...
another place...
another space...
You don't know what's on the other side til you open the Door.
You want to know, don't you.
Go ahead...
Open the Portal.

Outside the Portal:

Glimpse of what's on the Other Side:

UPDATE!!!!
(February 19th)

Life took over like crazeeee this past week so my apologies for not getting the picture up sooner.
I'll be drawing the Lucky Winner Friday February 25th!I went a little nuts stuffing more & more into the bag for this one!
Goodie Bag is full of:
5 *generous* meters of Vintage Ribbon
5 *generous* meters of Antique Lace
EK Success Chalk-lets
Scrapbook Wizard Thicker Stickers: Watermelon Small Alphabet
Birthday Sticker Sheet
Marcella By Kay Super Bright Journal Tags Embossed Stickers
K&Company K-ology Hannah Tags
ProvoCraft Stand-Outs Quilled Stickers: Pine Tree
Paperbilities 3-D Embellishment Stickers: Citrus
Sheet of PINK Theme stickers
Sheet of Resin Postage Stamp Stickers
Bohemia Transfer Title: Me and my Sister
Daisy Bucket Rub-On: Sunrise
6 Stampin' Up Confetti Door Hangers
The Paper Company: 8 cards & Envelopes in Ivory Elegant Leaf
Fiskars Clear Stamps, 24 pieces
Bead Shop Glass Beads: 11 colors & 2 necklace kits
Versa Color Mini-Pad: Cardinal
Pretty Colors Mini-Pad: Gold
Dauber Duos: Amethyst/Raspberry

Scrapped: My 2011 Word... HOME.

I took me a bit to gather the bits'n'pieces I wanted for this page but it's finally DONE.

I'm entering it in 2 challenges over at

www.Scrapbook.com:

~Steampunk Challenge~ January: New Year's Resolutions/Goals

One Little Word for 2011

I had also Blogged about selecting my 2011 Word,
you can check that out HERE :
http://keepsakescrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-word-of-year.html.

Photo of our front door...
Background paper, large lady and the rose/cogs (behind the word HOME): Graphics 45: Steampunk Debutante
Index card: 7 Gypsy's
Week List (behind the word HOME): My Mind's Eye
Rub-Ons (utensils, dishes, teapots, keys, house plan, rose tree, weather vane): Royal & Langnickel
Compass Stamp and Mists: Tattered Angels
Ink: Stampin' Up!
HOME Chipboard: Marchant Paper Memories
Stickers (House cleaning, Lady with Angels): Heartwarming Vintage by Crafty Secrets
Letter Stickers: Thickers

Cogs: Real Clock Parts

Journaling:

A “HOME” is a place of residence or refuge.

When “HOME” refers to a building, it is usually a place

in which an individual or a family can rest and store personal property.

“HOME” is also used to refer to the geographical area

in which a person grew up or feels they belong.

As an alternative to the defining “HOME” as a physical locale,

HOME may be perceived to have no physical definition—instead,

HOME may relate instead to a mental or emotional state of refuge or comfort

My 2011

WORD

HOME

This year I will be focusing on our Family, our Habitat and our Habits.

I want to be and feel “HOME” by the end of 2011.

Following & Blog Candy... Past the 200th post!

I had a BIG draw back when I hit 100 posts...
and now it seems I totally missed the 200th post! lol
I'm still going to keep the Super-Huge prize packs together for 100 followers.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuutttt...
I'm going to start having a smaller drawing for every 25 follower
PLUS
when I hit a 100th-ish post.

The BIG Packs are still HERE if you want to take a gander.
I'll start putting a little something-something together for reaching 25 followers
and draw once I've posted a picture.

For the 200th Post Prize...
You need to be a follower as well as leaving a comment on this post.
Leave a comment below and on August 14th I'll draw from those that commented.
Sound fair?
Off to dig through my stash! Goodies to come...

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

Just a quick pop-in to TOOT-TOOT and wish everyone a Happy Canada's 143rd Birthday!!!

But I also have a TOOT-TOOT of my own... I just found out that over at 'Your Life Spelled Out' I'm the July Guest Designer!

I'll be responsible for the 5 Art Journal Prompts for the Month of July and there'll be a wee spot-light of my work up Friday.
You should pop on over and have a peek...
it's an AWESOME Blog chock-FULL of creative inspirations!

Join the Mad Tea Party 2010...

Oh what a delight... any excuse to futterwaken!
Join the Mad Tea Party Blog Hop...

Wondering what to do if you sign up?

If you are signing up to participate in the Virtual Mad Tea Party, all you have to do are three things. (To sign-up, simply leave a comment saying you are joining in & leave your blog link. Thank you ;)

1) Share the flyer or the button on your blog as soon as possible. Link to this blog post, and I will add your name to the "Mad Tea Partier" list in my left hand side bar.

2) On the day of the tea party, June 26th 2010, please make sure to post a Mad Tea Party post of your own, on your blog, linking to me. Other partiers will be visiting you on that date.

3) Blog hop with the other partiers on the day of the event and have a mad blast!! Again, the list of Mad Tea Party Participants will be in my left hand sidebar.

Note:

Please make sure you post a tea party post on June 26th if you signed up. Last year several people did not do this, and lots of partiers e-mailed me to ask why they were finding some blogs without a Mad Tea Party post. I didn't have an answer.

Toot-Toot Part II...

I'm right:
Here
Whoo hooo!!!
I'm so excited...
*squeal*
Sarah

Welcome to the Sunshine Studio...

As promised... PICTURES!!!!

The Super-Light.

Above the Doorway, door still needs to be put back up.

I'll have a cork board on the back.

Entertainment center, files, printer and paper.
Both Butterfly paintings were done by my Grandmother (RIP).

Greg's Corner... 'nuff said. Please ignore the uh... chaos.
On the wall beside the window there will be 2 white floating shelves (on floor with green tape on them) that will have some of my 3D Mixed Media work on it (Domestic Goddess, Wit's End etc...)

Sewing Center.

Also set up for kids to come up do homework, puzzle, color etc... while I'm working.
Tall shelves have my scrapbooks.

What I love best here is my Sarah's Angels Water fountain and the plants... very tranquil.
Oh! and the Doggie Bed. :O)

Shelves.

Coasters, Bottles, Office Supplies... the boring sh-tuff.

More office supplies, Stuffies ♥ , Greenery, Candle & Soap making sh-tuff... & sh-tuff. lol

Shelves.
Sewing, Beads, Sequins, Buttons & Bells.
Ribbon, Lace, Wool & Flowers.

Shelves.

Shelves.
3D Altered Art, Jewelery & Electronics bits, Tags, Cricut, Work/Printer, Painting, Chalk & Watercolor, Glitter, Staples, Magnets etc... Embellishments, Glue Gun & Cutters.

Shelves.
12X12 Papers: patterned & solid, Letter & Word stickers, Bling, Rub-Ons and Image stickers, Shape Cutters, Masks & Templates.

Shelves.
Rubber Stamps, Embossing, Tools, Cardmaking, Scrapbooking and Mini-Kits.

Shelves.
Acrylic Stamps... trying to get most of them mounted inside empty CD cases, then they can go on the 'flipper'.

Work in Progress.

Scissors, Artwork on clips.

Just a neat shot. ♥

Main Work Area.
Overview.

Main Work Area.
Books/Magazines, Cricut, 'Puter, Christmas, CD's/DVD's, Wedding, Prizes, Art Journal: Vintage & Supplies, Specialty & 8 1/2 X 11 paper, Chipboard, Tools, Glimmer Mist, Ashesives, Markers, Radio etc... etc... sh-tuff.

Main Work Area.
Table.
Work Mats, Cutting Glass, Stamp Pads... etc...

Main Work Area.
Another clip hanger for Art Work, Aprons on wall

Committed!

I jumping right into 2010 with my 'word' for the year... CREATE
http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/one-little-word-2010.html

I created this for a challenge on ~Artist 365~ (see below)

Journalling:

My 2010 Word:

CREATE

This year I’m trying to explore my Artistic Side… Art Journals, Scrapbook Challenges, Altered Art, as well as creating a Family by getting married and hopefully pregnant.

Since it's 2010 I decided to commit to 10 things to do with 'Creating'.Most are Internet/Blog related and I'm hoping some of these commitments will overlap (photo's, topics etc...) I'm going to stretching myself as an Artist for most of them too.

1. Creating our "Family".
This in a large part will be wrapped up in Wedding Plans... Sept 25th will be coming faster as the days get closer and I'll be a Wife. I'm sure there will be many, many opportunities to 'create' things for the wedding too.
2. Creating "Harmony".
This year the house get de-gunged, de-cluttered and set up so we have space for everyone to be who they need to be and do what they need to do without being on top of each other while doing it
3. Your Life Spelled Out 2010:
http://yourlifespelledout.blogspot.com/
This is a blog for those of you that want or need to journal but when a pen and paper are put in front of you your mind goes completely blank. This will be a daily starting place with words or questions that will inspire you to reach within yourself and unlock your thoughts and your creativity. For those of you that art journal, I will create weekly prompts just for you. Let the creative process begin
4. One Year Art Journal:
http://oneyearartjournal.blogspot.com/http://oneyearartjournal.ning.com/
This blog is for YOU. It's not for Her. It's not for THEM. It's not for someday. It's for NOW. It's for YOUR rules. It's for YOUR ideas. The prompts and ideas here are for inspiration, and motivation to be creative, and create. I will post suggestions and ideas for art journals. The ideas are for you to take and make your own. Because the art you create using these ideas are YOURS, there is NO right or wrong way for you to interpret or create your art. PERFECT! Really. It's 100% up to you.Prompts Posted on the 15th and 30th of each month.
5. ~Artist 365~:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=226845533281&ref=search&sid=855290009.3986350838..1#/group.php?v=info&ref=search&gid=226845533281
Photographers, Scrapbookers, Poets...If you like "Art" this group is for you.We would like to encourage you this yearto pursue your Artistic Side!One day at a Time.
6. Bad Girls Project 52:
http://wendyrago.typepad.com/project52
BAD GIRLS PROJECT 52 is an artistic community of 10 artists who share their view of a very poignant challenge that is put forth to them every 2nd and 4th Monday. We welcome everyone to join us on this journey and share their artistry also...it is our hope that by playing with us you will find peace and calm in all areas of art and gain more insight into the wonderful world of mixed media. Providing a place for all artists to not only collaborate, but to join together in a journey that will enable a peaceful soul and a free spirit.....come to learn the true meaning of ART. Hope you will be here with us all year long to enjoy this incredible journey...it's going to be so fun!
7. My Personal 'Art' Blog:
http://keepsakescrafts.blogspot.com/
Scrapbooking is Cheaper than Therapy... Just a little of this... and a little of that... to come forth from the Scrapbooking Room.A place I will be posting my creative endeavors. WATCH THIS SPACE! ;O)
8. Grace in Small Things (GiST
http://graceinsmallthings.ning.com/
http://craftymom.livejournal.com/ (My posts.)
Grace in Small Things as a daily reminder to take notice of the positive things we tend to overlook.Grace in Small Things exists because we are choosing not to allow the noisiness of life to rob us of the time and energy to be mindful of ourselves and those we love and to recognize the grace that exists in small things.Grace in Small Things is for YOU, because you deserve it.Grace in Small Things is a challenge for every day, because there's no time like the present, tomorrow never comes, and some other cliche about seizing the day. Oh, right: carpe diem.I will be continuing to create good, positive energy with this forum.
9. 365 Picture of the Day Blog:
http://lipstickonthecoffeecup.blogspot.com/
Lipstick on The Coffee Cup Life with 4 boys, a fiancee, 2 dogs, a bunny, a home-business & an ex... etc... etc... Some days the cup is 1/2 empty... Some days the cup is 1/2 full...I will continue to post my POD (Picture of the Day).
10. After the wedding... Getting Pregnant