WE'RE ALMOST THERE

This week has been a flurry of rush. Strain on the lower back because I had to reach the center of this LOL and viewing this piece on my dining room table for the last time before it goes on my living room wall for it's final pieces 

to be anchored on it.

There's mixed emotions on finishing this; it's given me something to do in my manic moments and yet I'm relieved that it's almost finished. 

The butterfly in the center is 9 inches at it's widest part, laser cut to perfection. I found the shape on Etsy and once it got here I spray painted it with glossy white paint and since there were two, fixed them together for a 3D effect. I'm going to be adding some crystals to it in keeping with the 'bling' feel. I also picked up it's 'brothers' and 'sisters' all in rainbow colors to add to the top. They'll all have crystals on them, and be anchored with wire from the back, curly cueing out for an awesome "pop in your face" kind of look.

Once completed with will also have large flowers on green wire anchored from the bottom back, in an arch pattern that will pop from the bottom sides to give you a feeling like you are standing in the garden looking through an opening.

This has been such a journey.

If you'd like to see a slideshow on this piece click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojUnvoT73hQ&feature=plcp

To see more cool handmade items from the Etsy shop I found the laser etched butterflies from visit

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EtchedinTimeLLC?ref=pr_shop_more

ARTPRIZE IS COMING

 

I just got home from buying toilet paper. It's 7am and I'm out buying toilet paper.

 

Let's talk about expectations. Those I have of myself; and those that others have of me.

First I have to say that I know what I'm made of. I look a challenge in the face and make a plan, quickly. Then I complete the task to the best of my ability. Integrity and a good work ethic are very important to me at work, home and out in the public. But what do I do with a slipped disc? (I don't know that I have one yet, MRI tomorrow) How am I suppose to keep my job, keep up the house, laundry, grocery buying, keep the oil changed in the vehicles, keep the lawn mowed, dishes done, bed made, keep working on my art prize project, keep my consignment shop stocked etc all the while strappin' a bag of frozen corn to my neck?

 

I don't know how I'm going to do all of this.

 

My husband doesn't have someone cooking for him. I try my best, but I'm so busy just trying to feel better that I can't make a proper meal. I'm usually too tired after work. It's all I can do, to come in here, let the dog out, feed the dog, water the dog, listen to him whine cuz he wants to be walked, and mop the floor cuz Bud is not able to "hold it" lately, make a pot of coffee for when Geoff gets up and wonder what I can make easily so Geoff has something to eat before he goes to work.

 

And then there's the time Geoff needs, to be listened to, to talk, spend time together. So then I gotta figure out priorities. I can't do it all. I guess I need to learn to set priorities.

 

 

 

 

Then there's what the company expects from me. I believe they just want me to push through, forget that I'm hurt and just do my job or get moved to another area. It's my fault that my body is giving out but so what, go do your job. If you can't we'll find a way to get rid of you and fill your spot with someone that will get paid less to do the same thing.  We don't care that you hurt. We just want our parts. Then when you need to come home and get under ice and take some pain meds they might give you a day or two but don't ask for Friday cuz it's all full. I can't turn my head very well to see to drive. So I'm taking my life into my hands to go to work. I have bills to pay, I can't quit yet. Once the bills are paid, I still can't quit cuz we are getting a new roof. And then I may be facing surgery so I think to myself, how am I going to handle everything? I won't be able to do OT, let alone get to work and the 65% that S&A pays still isn't enough to help if I decide to have surgery. So I just don't know what to do. I'm really at a loss. Then because other people have abused the FMLA system at work, I even wonder if they believe me. So I guess tomorrow, Friday, August 24 I will go into work by 6am. I will leave work at 7am to go to my MRI appointment. Then once it's over I'll go back to work, all with my bag of frozen corn, strapped to my neck.

Yippie.

ARTPRIZE 2012 is a little less than a month away. You'd think I would be sick of paper but naw, still love working with all the shapes and sizes, colors and then setting an Australian crystal on each piece.

It's beginning to get harder and harder to go to my day job the closer I get to finishing this piece.
When I finish I will have put in countless hours, thousands of butterflies and flowers and hundreds of crystals. Many thanks go to a handful of friends that have given me encouragement along with sought after opinions but none more encouraging than my dear husband, Geoff. He has watched me painstakingly deal with every step I've had to make on this project, and ever so lovingly told me when I did something that just sucked. LOL I'm gonna dedicate this piece to you, Geoff...thanks for telling me the truth when I needed to hear it.

muah!!!

The Next Step Toward ARTPRIZE

The Next Step...I can't begin to describe the feeling when I saw the outcome of the terrific paint I got from JoAnn's, called Glimmer Mist. Tattered Angels is the company that produces this exciting new paint and has many tutorials on Youtube on how to apply it. First gently move the bottle in a circular motion to mix it, never wanting to shake it, you don't want bubbles in this...then you spray it onto your surface then place Saran Wrap over top and bunch it up a bit with your finger tips. You will begin to see a mosaic pattern. Let this dry, it took my piece over night before it was completely dried.

I took the plastic wrap off this morning, and then took three pictures.

Here is the blue section, I wish my camera could have picked up the shine. It's really interesting. Of course this will be the sky where the butterflies will take over, to form a rainbow...I'm going to also add some off the canvas like they are going to join the rest of the butterflies to take part in the color fest haha.

I have to say here that the green turned out quite nice, but most of it will be covered in flowers.

Now to begin the arduous task of adding thousands of pieces of paper to this project where there will be more pictures to follow.

I need to find just the right kind of glue, one that doesn't stain, give up in the heat, that will stick to canvas and not soak through the paper. Today is a work day...No. Today is a PLAY DAY. :)

Here's a little glimpse into what is to come...

A DRAWERING (LOL) OF MY ARTPRIZE "HOPE BUTTERFLY"

Hello! I thought it best to catch up on my blogging so decided to begin with a sketch of my entry for ARTPRIZE. The flowers have been taking on a life of their own as I am getting ready to attach them to the canvas. A lot of these will be on long green wire, curly cuing throughout the piece mostly coming from the bottom. There will be some directly placed on the canvas and also attached to the back winding hither and yon (I've always wanted to use that phrase haha) around other paper flowers and insects cascading upward toward the base of each side of the butterfly rainbow.
The butterflies will be of the correct colors of the rainbow but some will be printed paper, some solid and attached will be crystal beads to the backs of the butterflies for that added bling feel.
I thought it would be fun to have small crystals, resembling raindrops dangling off the top in front of the piece. In doing so when the sun shines it will scatter beautiful sparkles of light across the front delivering just the right touch. But we'll see. These are my thoughts, would love to hear from you.

  

One foot is in a wet spot made of freshly spilled coffee. The other is dry. I began this morning by painting the sky. The pearl sky blue paint came out in shimmers as I poured it into my glass bowl. Stirring with a straw I mixed it with some water to make a wash; I wanted a light cover of color which while wet made circular motions with a lint free cloth to show a whispy affect. I took a short break then had to choose the color for my "grass" and settled on an apple green. With the same technique as I used with the sky, I brushed it on the canvas, taking care to dab up any runs. Next I went to a website to purchase this wonderful paint called Glimmer Mist. If you get some time check this Youtube video out on the basics of using this kind of paint. It's gorgeous when it's done. I chose the same color just a lighter tone for each color. Now it's time to begin making my 3D flowers and butterflies.

HOLD THE PHONE I WOKE UP WITH A THOUGHT!

I woke up this morning with the most interesting thought in my head regarding my ARTPRIZE project. Instead of painting all my flowers on, why not just give the piece a splash of background color and then achieve the look I want with 3D paper flowers too! Not only will this project have a huge rainbow full of a thousand butterflies but it will be hovering over a field of 3D flowers. It's going to take me much longer than I had originally planned however the outcome will be a lot more interesting in my opinion. Oh stay tuned people, stay tuned...