Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!



Hello my friends! How are you? Are you preparing for Turkey Day? What are you doing? Where will you be celebrating? What are you giving thanks for this year?

It has been a LONG haul. I can tell you with absolute certainty that when we left our home on October 31st I never anticipated how challenging the move ahead of us. would be. I have learned so much about myself and my little family in the last few weeks. This has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. There is much I want to share and I will as time goes on but I'm just getting set up again so it may take a little time. For now, I'd like to share a few things I'm very grateful for this year.

I'm grateful for...

-the roof over my head
-the amazing, generous, loving family and friends in my life (including you)
-coloring with my daughter (because it's one of the little things that helps to make
this place feel a little like home)
-the ability of my husband and I to find laughter even in the most chaotic, tense moments
-the ability to play when life gets to serious

I will be starting the TST again after Thanksgiving weekend so I have a question for YOU. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be insane. There is just so much to do for work, family, etc. Would you prefer that I hold off on new themes till New Years and simply post fun tidbits till then or do you want challenges amid the holiday season?

Personally, I know between unpacking and trying to prep for the holidays I won't have time to do the themes but if you like I'd be happy to post them so let me know.

Thank you for all your patience, understanding, care, love and support you have sent my way. You have no idea how much it helped during some truly crazy moments. LOL...ah life what a freaking adventure.

Write, tell me how you are and from my family to yours Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Love :)

Thursday, November 12, 2009

We Interupt This Regularly Scheduled Broadcast..

I'm so sorry. Once again there will be a delay. We only got into our apartment the night before last and there are things still being worked on/setup.I'm setting this up via phone. I hope it works. I will see you next week. Miss you all please let me know how you are doing.
Hugs!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Postponed

Hi everyone!

I hope this finds you well.

We had a small moving glitch. Our apartment is not ready so we are inbetween homes right now. That makes it impossible for me to do the Sweet Treat this week but I will be back next week.

Till then, life will continue to be an adventure...I hope yours is as well and that it's a good one!

Cheers,
Natasha the Cartwheeling Nacho

Friday, October 30, 2009

Theme 40: Messy Hands

How you choose to interpret the theme is completely up to you. It simply needs to be tasteful – no pornography or messages of hate here. When you sit down to create, you cannot think about how people will or will not receive your work. You are required to simply enjoy the act of creating.




Charlie's Birthday
© Judy Beedle Photography



Whether you take a photo of your hands while they are creating a new piece or you find some amazing way of celebrating the beauty of hands - look at how they allow you to create gorgeous works - celebrate hands. Paint them, let them mash clay, cover them in tape, write on them, let them play with a material you never use - just get them really dirty!!!


Important Guidelines


The work submitted must be something you have created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling. Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, November 4th if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, November 5th. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post.




With your response please include:


1. Your name - either first name, shop name or both.

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything. Please limit this to 2-3 sentences

4. The shop and/or blog links you'd like to include

5. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)


Most importantly, get messy, get dirty and have a blast doing it!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sensational Artists Invite You to Believe in Angels

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Well folks the new site is just about done and will be revealed in November after my move is over. I ask you to bear with me as my posts may be a little spotty. I won't be connected right away but as soon as I am back up and running you will all be the first to know. Thank you for your understanding and patience.



Angels. They mean so many things to people. For some they are beings of light with wings and for others angels are friends. These talented, amazing, professional artists shared their ideas in works that are simply unforgettable.

I invite you to spend a little time basking in the beauty of angels and the amazing artists who shared their vision of them......






Maureen, a talented artist, created this gorgeous 9 X 9 watercolor.

"I realize my submission (9x9 watercolor with wax resist) might look like it was meant for LAST week's topic of stars . .. but no, this is really and truly my "angel" submission!" said Maureen. "Angels for me are thoughts from God, and they very often come to me in the dark times, and they bring light."

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/














Althea, creator of Salvaged Expression, created this sensational piece.

"I call this "When we fly together." Basically it's just a memory of playing on rock outcrops as a child and a certain leap I loved," said Althea. "I realized too late that my submission this week seems to be my take on Natasha's journal last week! I'm not sure the marker worked out so if anyone has any input there let me know!

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/
















Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this phenomenal mixed media art journal page, in acrylic paint, ink, and tissue paper.

"Angels to me have always been those little whispering messages--sometimes they keep me out of harm's way, or they're urging me down a new creative path, or guiding me to just the right place at the right time," said Amanda. "The most important thing, I think, is being open and receptive enough to hear those little angel whispers. This art journal page explores finding a way to listen through the static of everyday life.

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/
http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/















Felicia Kramer, cretor of Another Bright Idea, created these stunning pieces titled, “Littlest angel” and “Angel tidings”.

"This might not be quite what you had in mind with this theme, but I took it literally," said Felicia. "Last year I was an Etsy newbie and wasn’t quite prepared for the holidays, so I was determined to be ready this time. For the last two months I have been immersed in creating Christmas items, and this week I have been working on Christmas cards. I’m using photos of my own angel ornaments (I have quite a few), and enhancing the backgrounds with digital layering and effects. Feedback is welcome."

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com/
http://www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com/

Littlest Angel




Angel tidings













Bird, creator of Crow Tarot, created more beautiful angels for the Guardian Angel series, a stellar Interactive Landscape Angel, and a wonderful Ooak angel.

"Some more additions to the series, plus the originals back again just to keep things complete," said Bird. "I originally thought there were only going to be 8 more, but nearly a dozen more came to me today, so the series expandeth ever outwards! :-D Not all were able to be completed today, but will be soon, and thence to the shoppe for selling. :-D"

Left--->Right
top row: Wisdom Angel, Prosperity Angel, God/dess Angel, Harvest Angel, Angel of Good Will, Seeker Angel
bottom row: Angel of the Blessed Virgin, Power Angel, Angel of Potentiality, Angel of the Psychic Arts, Lovers' Angel, Angel of the Flowers

http://www.crowtarot.etsy.com/








Interactive Landscape Angel

"The first draft of an angel for the interactive landscapes," said Bird. "The pattern needs some work, but is coming along. :-D"

http://www.crowtarot.etsy.com/




"I love this OoaK angel," said Bird. "The head is a faceted amethyst bead, and the rose quartz dress seems to float along, complete with waves of fabric."

http://www.crowtarot.etsy.com/














Doodlestar created this new journal cover.

"I painted this with acrylics but I'd love to use markers to have the same effect. Any suggestions? Feedback on this piece is appreciated."

http://doodlestar.etsy.com










This week, I looked around and found Angels among Etsy artist items. These folks do not know they are in the TST yet...I am going to write to surprise them. More artists to celebrate and invite to play - YAY!




Cat Angel (black and white) Heart Ornament
http://heartthrobs.etsy.com/






She Has Her Very Own Guardian Angel . . . it is a HANDMADE GREETING CARD for girls who need to know that someone is looking out for them.
http://allisonstrine.etsy.com/




After viewing this TST are you feeling inspired? Are you ready to dive in and start creating for the next theme??


Charlie's Birthday
© Judy Beedle Photography



Well, next week's theme is "Messy Hands."
Whether you take a photo of your hands while they are creating a new piece or you find some amazing way of celebrating the beauty of hands - look at how they allow you to create gorgeous works - celebrate hands. Paint them, let them mash clay, cover them in tape, write on them, let them play with a material you never use - just get them really dirty!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Celebrate This Artist, Maybeads!!




Do Your Business - Squirt the Dog and his Trusty Fire Hydrant Handmade Lampwork Bead Set


Maybeads is one of my favorite new haunts. I LOVE the pieces she creates. Each one has its own distinct personality. AND on her blog she recently talked about getting a start creating penguins from a tutorial of another artist. I like her willingness to share her process and progress. It's inspiring.

I invite you to check out her shop and blog and leave a little love!




SALE - Ghost and Bat Pair of Handmade Lampwork Beads

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Imagine This...

Hellooo everyone...how are you?? Right now, I'm buried in boxes and the only things that can move - my fingers - are tap, tap, tapping away on this computer and waving hello to YOU!

It's official I don't like packing so I'm going to spend a little time dreaming here with you....



Would you rather ....


fly a fighter jet








take a trip in the Zero gravity plane









or drive a race car