Wanna Play With Matches?

Hi everyone,

Hope you are having a most Awesome day! It's beginning to feel a lot like fall here in the Ozarks. Pumpkins everywhere, mums and leaves and the cool crisp evenings!! Fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year. There is just something about falling leaves and the smell of apple pie and apple cider not to mention fall festivals everywhere!!

 

I have been busy in the studio trying to play catch up on my art and it has been crazy busy. Oh, please don't let it sound like I am complaining NOT AT All!! My studio is my sanctuary , looking at it right now some might laugh!! But such is the life of an artist, after all I specialize in Creative Messes!!! LOL

Anyway I just I would give you a few glimpses of what is going on here in the studio and then see who would like to play with MATCHES!!!

 New designs using images from CrowAbout StudioB

New travel tubes

 

 

 

 

And Matchbooks!!

Yep!! You heard right I said MATCHES!!  No we're not going to burn anything down we are just going to light up the Swap world with a long awaited swap here on the blog!! I have had such a wonderful response to these sweet little art pieces. I created mine for the Matchbook swap over at Mischief Circus hosted by the amazingly talented Marsha Slayer of Tumble Fish Studios

Now we did not use actual matchbooks we created our own and then added little snippets of our personal art. Such a FUN FUN time and AMAZING talents!!!

Here is a peek at some I received

 

 

 

 

Aren't these the BOMB!!! Oh LUCKY ME!!!

So with that who’s in for playing with Matches!!! LOL

 

Here is how it will work:

You will have until October 16th to sign up here by leaving a comment in the comment section below and emailing me at www.melodee.oia@gmail.com

After signing up you will create 6 matchbooks using REAL Matchbooks. You need only cover the outside!! Then you will have until November 14th to mail them to me along with a self-addressed and postage paid envelope.  I will then divide all out (you create 6 and receive six back) and mail them back to you on November 16th. There may even be some little surprises lurking!! Now please NOTE: if you do not send a prepaid mailing envelope (envie addressed to you postage paid) I will NOT be able to mail back to you until I receive postage!

I can't wait to see what you all create!! Mine are being tucked away in this cute little jar to sit in my living room!!

What a GREAT conversation piece not to mention MATCHES in case of electric loss!! After all for some of us winter is coming!! You can find some GREAT image packs by Nancy Baumiller of CrowAbout Studio B and Tumble Fish Studios over at www.mischiefcircus.com  Tell'm Melodee sent ya!!

Well that's it folks I hope you all will join me for this fun swap!! I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

 

Have a beautiful day everyone!!

Leap'n and Hop'n on a Moon Shaddow

Wow,  seems like it has been forever since I have been in this room, being creative or typing on this keyboard. Seems like my muse just died when you said goodbye. But here I am alive, singing and finding my muse has come home. Who knew I would miss you being here so much. But even though I am back doing what I love, there is still that hole, that desire to run in and show you what I created today, seeing that wrinkled worn grin while hearing you say "that's Neat Hun!" and being reminded you were my biggest fan and how much having you here with us meant. But I made a promise to you before things got so bad that I would continue on, I would not crawl in that dark hole like so many do and I would remember the precious times we had. You were my very first best friend, an amazing father, and my ultimate cheerleader. You are in heaven now laughing and dancing with our mother, no more pain, no more sickness just peace! Today I am no longer leaping and hopping on that moon shaddow crying, angry and depressed, but living as I have always tried to do, like the song that Cat Stevens wrote and interpreted: "finding hope in any situation. attempting to be present and joyful. seeing life as it is, right now, and not comparing it to others', or other times in my life. Every moment in life is rich and unique; whether we are aware of it or not, we are always leaping and hopping on a moon shaddow - the inescapable present moment. If we are wrapped up in our whirlpools of worry and concern about what could be, or what has been, we are missing the richness of life as it is". While the last couple of years with us may have had its ups and downs because of your illness I would not have traded it for anything and I know you wouldn't have either. Those last days were tough but they were beautiful, they were painful but they were a blessing, the shared talks before bed still and will always linger in my heart and  those precious moments, no one will ever be able to take from me and though you were tired you gave all you had. Daddy, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the bravest, strongest man I have ever known, for allowing me the blessing of inheriting your strength and being your daughter.

Today, I dedicate this blog post and my first art journal page after finding my muse

 

 

 

 to my very first best friend,  my father. 

 

 

 

Harley Hamilton

May 1928- May 2015

 

             A Special Thank You to all of my beautiful Art friends for being there for me!

 

 

 

 

Above art journal page created using the kit 

 

 "Heart Wide Open"

 

 

by CrowAbout StudioB

at www.mischiefcircus.com

 

 

 

 

WHAT"S UP and Other Cool Stuff!!!

Hi all,
I hope everyone is enjoying their spring. As much as possible!! I love spring but hate the storms that come with it!! Tornados all around us but so far we are thankful no hits. I would like to take a moment and ask you to say a few prayers for all of our art family who are suffering from all the crazy weather! our prayers go out to them!!

                                                    Have you signed up for Tinytopia

 

 

        yet or any of the other wonderful classes being offered over at

 Artful Gathering?

So many Talented Instructors with such awesome classes. I had a hard time myself trying to decide which to take. I wanted to take them all but unfortunately not possible!! LOL Classes begin NEXT MONTH so hurry over and get signed up!!!

Thought I would share a little with you as to what has been rocking my little world the last couple of weeks!!

Joined in on a Mini Book swap over at "The Enchanted Imaginarium" on facebook hosted by Talented artist Deb Combs. We were to create little mini books no larger than 2 inches.

So I gave it a whirl! Here is what I came up with:

 

 

 

       Wanted to keep them for myself but.

 I sure hope my swap partner loves them!!

I had never created any journals this small before and it was sooo easy!! I had a blast creating them. Thanks Deb for allowing me to participate!!

I have also been busy creating more Travel tubes!! Here's a few in the works and will be coming to my etsy store this weekend

 

 

Oh and the wonderful Mrs Fancy Pants herself  of  Crowabout StudioB  has come out with 2, yes I said TWO new kits!!!

 

Here are a couple peeks at the designs I did for the new kits!!

 

 

My first two designs were created using elements from "The Star Keeper" kit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next is her newest kit "Ascension"

 

 

 

You can find them all here at www.mischiefcircus.com

 

 

There's been plenty more going on and I will share more later in the week  but for now that's it for today my sweets. I hope you have enjoyed.
 
                                                                   Happy Arting Everyone!!!

Spotlight Tuesday

Welcome to today's Spotlight Tuesday everyone so glad you popped by. Today's featured artist comes to us from a beautiful desert place where dreams come to life in a little southwest atelier.

There you will find whimsical beings calling out from behind little windows





 



Things with wings swooping with gaiety

 

     

 

Anthologies of quotes, vintage papers, substrates and found objects just waiting to be cleverly gathered and created into something magnificent!!

 

Oh, and the colors that promulgate from her Desert Dream Studio!! 
 

 Can you just

    

 

If you haven't figured out by now who today's artist is, let me introduce you.

Please welcome the VERY Talented

Mary Jane makes her home in Las Vegas Nevada and is primarily a self taught mixed media artist with a primary focus in collage.

One of my very favorite pieces "The Abundant Heart" featured below, is a piece Mary Jane created for  St Judes Children Research Hospital and was auctioned off at the 2012 Las Vegas Honors St Jude Gala Affair of the Art. Mary Jane loves creating art to help her community raise funds for deserving charities.

 

 

Being a retired Trauma/Critical Care RN  it's not hard to see why this piece stands out to me!! 

 

Brilliant MJ, Simply Brilliant!!

While Mary Jane's wonderful work has been displayed in galleries in Las Vegas and Utah her true passion is in the teaching of art. She has been a faculty member /instructor over at Artful Gathering a WONDERFUL Online Retreat  for several years and I can tell you first hand her passion for teaching speaks for itself.

It was through one of  her classes I came to be friends with Mary Jane. (I had already been a follower of hers for some time on Facebook through swaps and such) She is such an amazing and supportive person who totally lives what she writes,  " artists are a tightly knit group of individuals who share a strong common bond... we share our ideas, help and support each other in our endeavors to express ourselves. I find this one of the greatest parts of being an artist."   She is always willing to share a helpful hint or idea as she cheers you on and ALWAYS has a kind word! If you have never taken a class from Mary Jane I HIGHLY recommend it!

Speaking of classes, she is busy in the studio as I write preparing for her upcoming class this summer over at Artful Gathering.

                                                        www.artfulgathering.com


I am OVER THE MOON EXCITED for this class!! It is going to be AMAZING!!!!

To find out more on how you can participate click on the link here and check it out!!

http://atozinnia.org/session-two/

                         You can find  DVDs to her other amazing classes there as well.

Honestly though friends, apart from the classes, MJ is amazing and I am SO blessed to know her and call her my friend. She has been a beautiful source of support for me through my artful endeavors. I look forward to one day being able to meet her in person but for now we art on as soul sisters in the web world and I invite you to join us. If you get a chance pop in on her facebook page and tell her hello.

To read more about Mary Jane and to see more of her most AMAZING and Inspiring Art click on the provided links!

www.desertdreamstudios.weebly.com

 

Well, thanks for joining me everyone. Until next time, have a beautiful artful week!!

 

 

 

I Have WINNERS!!

Hey Hey Hey!!! We have a WINNER!!! 

 But, before I make the big announcement I just want to say Thank You for all the beautiful inspiring words. I love and value all your kindness!   Even though your number may not have been chosen do not fret!! 

 

Because I think ALL of you are so AMAZING and I value each and every one of you!

SOOO Guess What?

 

 

 

 EVERYONE who posted a comment is a WINNER!!!! 

 

I am giving away a little gift coupon to the rest of you to use in my store . Just email me melodee.oia@gmail.com to receive your coupon code. You will have 30 days to use it!

So now without further ado

 

Drum Roll Please

 

The Winner is

 

 

 

 #4 

MARIE GAROT

 

 

Congratulations Marie! Please drop me a pm on facebook or email me with your addy and I will get your zippered pouch on it's way!!!

Well, Thanks everyone for dropping in and playing along. Be sure and keep coming back. Next Tuesday is "Spotlight Tuesday" you won't want to miss out!!!

Have a Blessed weekend folks!!

GIVEAWAY ANYONE?

Hey gang, Thanks for popping by!! I bet you heard there was a giveaway going on here in my little atelier. Well  you heard right!! But first things first! (yes you have to read my post! LOL)  I am over the moon excited to share with you what I have been working on lately.

A couple of weeks ago I got the bright idea to create a little zippered pouch using images of some of my favorite art pieces. Most of you know I love mixed media and assemblage and OOH how I love to create using collage images as well. My poor studio looks like a human paper shredder on speed has ram sacked it every time I get to creating!

My desk actually looked really good!! You should have seen the floor!

 I love using collage images in my work and I can tell you if you have never been over to Mischief Circus and checked out all the wonderful and talented collage artists and there kits you are totally missing it!! A couple of my all time faves are CrowABout StudioB, Tumble Fish Studios and ItKupilli!! They are a MUST see!!  Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I took some of my favorite pieces and created these super cute zippered pouches.

 Totally on a whim I decided to put them in my Etsy store. Well, I am humbled to say you know the rest of the story!! What a Blessing!! Now I am snipping and sewing my little heart out!!

So in honor of a successful whim, you guessed it I'm giving away a sample!

 I must admit there is a little flaw in this sweetie but I couldn't throw it away. What was an artist to do? After much debate and suggestions from all my SUPER DOOPER Artsy Fartsy sista's I decided to give it away!! So here is all you have to do... If you don't mind a little flaw and would like a chance to win this cutie then EXPRESS YOURSELF  in my comments section here on my page to enter the drawing. NOTE**** If you do not have an account and need to post as anonymous please leave your name in the comment so I will know who you are!!!  Then on Saturday April 18th I will have the random number generator draw a winner!! You have until 6pm Central time Saturday.

Well, that's all Folks! Thanks for popping in and I wish all of  YOU, my AMAZING precious friends a beautiful Friday!!

www.ateliermelodee.etsy.com

SPOTLIGHT TUESDAY

Hi everyone and welcome to my NEW Spotlight Tuesday!!
Join me today in my first Tuesday of many to come as I introduce you to some of my most amazing art sista's!! Here you will find some Fantastic artists, get to know them a little and see what is happening in the their creative world!!

Today I want to introduce you to my awesome friend from Ontario Canada. But before I do, as I shared with you last week I participated in an Artist Trading Block swap over in the Imaginarium "Anthology of an Art Doll" a facebook group hosted by the ever so awesome Mary Jane Chadbourne!! Well here is a peek at the beautiful block I received from our Spotlight Artist!!

Isn't she AWESOME!!  Imagine my delight upon receiving her!!

 

Who is this Fantabuous artist you ask? Well let me introduce you to.......

You will find Laura busy in her little Canadian Papier Atelier working on Character Constructions aka BEAUTIFUL Paper Dolls amongst many other exceptional doll creations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura loves "spending time with family and making everyday count"! Her love for paper and creating one of a kind paper dolls truly stands out and I must agree that  " Every whimsical Fashionista Palooza tells their own magical story with a Happy ending"!  Her work has been featured in such magazines as Somerset Studio and Stampers Sampler.

It is always a pleasure chatting with this lovely artist. She always brings a ray of sunshine to our conversations and posts! She is inspiring just as she is passionate and loves sharing her artistic visions and teaching mixed media.  Her happiness and love for people and art penetrates all who come into contact with her and I am one lucky artist to know her and get to swap with her. I look forward to one day meeting her in person!!

You can find out more about  Laura and see more of her beautiful creations on these links to her Facebook and  her blog. You can also see more of her work over at  http://www.characterconstructions.com/guestart/lauraowl.html


I hope you have enjoyed todays Spotlight Artist. Please remember to check her out, leave her a sweet message tell her Mel'odee sent you!


Have a beautiful day everyone and be watching for a most AWESOME GIVEAWAY coming on FRIDAY!!!!!!!