tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19888907126657559332024-03-13T16:57:49.233-05:00I Can ColourShelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-54670506770955126242015-07-18T00:20:00.000-05:002015-07-18T00:20:04.921-05:00< slightly evil laugh >My kids are away at camp, so I took the opportunity to re-vamp the chalkboard that's painted on the side of our pantry cupboard. We haven't used it in... oh, a while, if I can judge by the "31 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS" that I wiped off of it yesterday. Prior to using it as a countdown calendar, I had been using it to write down the kids' chores for them every day.<br />
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They didn't like that.<br />
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Recently, they have decided that they are old enough, nay, MATURE enough, that they should be allowed to simply look around their environment and clean up anything that they deem necessary. Why should I treat them like children and dictate their actions by giving them a <i>list</i>? Tsk.<br />
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I like this idea in theory. It shows initiative. It shows responsibility. It shows how much of a sucker I am for falling for it. I probably don't have to tell you how much it did not work. Between the sibling bickering and the wide-eyed lying about what chores were not obvious enough to have captured their attention (food wrappers on the couch apparently being invisible to the naked eye), it's resulted in more frustration for me and waaaaaay less cleaning for them.<br />
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Oh, also there was a sale at Michael's and I bought some chalkboard markers. Wanted to try them out. Result: I like 'em. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DHoqL97jSk/VaneJXFJQCI/AAAAAAAACv4/jEFq4ez9sIs/s1600/Chores%2BBlank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DHoqL97jSk/VaneJXFJQCI/AAAAAAAACv4/jEFq4ez9sIs/s640/Chores%2BBlank.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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I'll be honest, I sort of slapped this together, I didn't make sketches or do much planning. That's why the lines are wiggly and the letters aren't all straight, but you know what... it was fun. Also, it washes off, so I didn't feel like I was too committed. Seriously, FUN. You should try it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDymV2Bgusk/VaneJ0Q0gQI/AAAAAAAACv8/7F6bs1kltrI/s1600/Chores%2BSaturday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDymV2Bgusk/VaneJ0Q0gQI/AAAAAAAACv8/7F6bs1kltrI/s640/Chores%2BSaturday.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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Since they're going to show up dirty and tired, I only gave them one chore - THIS TIME. YOUR job is to not tell them the paint washes off, because otherwise that's how the mutiny will start. All I know is, chores have to be listed, otherwise they don't get done. Also, if your children are perfect angels and do their chores without parental haranguing, well, just keep it to yourself, mmkay? Thanks.<br />
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xo<br />
ShelleyShelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-3998542317320162702015-07-03T21:13:00.000-05:002015-07-03T21:13:28.529-05:00I'll just put this in the corner.The <a href="http://www.royalaviationmuseum.com/collections/airborne-art-project-3/" target="_blank">Royal Aviation Museum</a> in Winnipeg approached local art groups late last year to request assistance with their fundraising event, "Airborne Art". <div>
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Now, I don't belong to a local art group. But I weaselled my way in anyway. </div>
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The deal was, you get to snoop through their back room full of spare old airplane parts, take home something that you think you could turn into a valuable piece of art, then bring it back to the museum in time for their big week this summer. They have two visiting aircraft - a B-17 and a B-25 WWII bomber - that you can climb up inside. Apparently they are expecting upward of 10,000 visitors for this particular exhibit, which is a mind-boggling number of people that may be walking past a piece of art that I created. See how I managed to bring it all around back to me? It's a gift, really.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the grass needs cutting.</td></tr>
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I got there last, so I didn't get the coolest stuff. BUT I GOT THIS AMAZING AIRPLANE WING!!! I was pretty excited about it, until I remembered that 10,000 people were going to be looking at it. Gulp. Then I totally choked, and it sat in my living room for the next three months. Accusingly.<br />
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I finally stopped procrastinating and got down to business. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8C0Zyxqh7qI/VZVQd7I28VI/AAAAAAAACuk/KBij_h-K6I8/s1600/IMG_8830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8C0Zyxqh7qI/VZVQd7I28VI/AAAAAAAACuk/KBij_h-K6I8/s640/IMG_8830.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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After I'd finished it, I reflected that if I was to start over, I would do it completely differently. But then I shrugged and went to deliver it. Too late for regrets, bitches!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cZ2385TdFA/VZXfwhPr85I/AAAAAAAACu8/xayK8Z7ifPA/s1600/Detail%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cZ2385TdFA/VZXfwhPr85I/AAAAAAAACu8/xayK8Z7ifPA/s640/Detail%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have to admit, the colours absolutely thrill me. I spent an obscene amount of time staring at the finished product, trying to memorize the different combinations and drips. YUM.<br />
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The museum also let me have a bunch of 1950s and 1960s aviation maps to use, and you can see a lot of that detail beneath the paint. <br />
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From my own stash I added some airmail-themed goodies.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVkSKMfJw3E/VZXgdnwQFcI/AAAAAAAACvY/Sh771yMxlkQ/s1600/Detail%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVkSKMfJw3E/VZXgdnwQFcI/AAAAAAAACvY/Sh771yMxlkQ/s640/Detail%2B4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Finally, when I was only two weeks late, I drove off to the museum to deliver my objet d'art. When I got there, they were already assembling all the other works into categories, so I got to see the other artists' work. <br />
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I had an epiphany.<br />
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I need to join an art group.<br />
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Seriously, these people brought ART. Like, something you would put in an exhibit, or a gallery, or... or... or... a MUSEUM. Ohmygah. Yeah. I felt totally outclassed. Wait, not <i>at all</i> in a "please feel sorry for me" way or a "please compliment my art because I'm feeling desperately needy" but more in an "I HAVE TO STEP UP MY GAME" way. Because seeing those other artists' pieces seriously opened my eyes. I've been doodling along, dabbling here and there, and never really getting serious about improving. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWRjeH2Hnt8/VZXgdYqHDwI/AAAAAAAACvU/UIKlkv55UhM/s1600/Museum%2BSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWRjeH2Hnt8/VZXgdYqHDwI/AAAAAAAACvU/UIKlkv55UhM/s640/Museum%2BSign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love their beat-up, time-worn signs...</td></tr>
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So. The museum may not make a bundle off of my donation, but I certainly got more than <i>I </i>bargained for. I'm going to make a more concerted effort to grow in my art. This may go really well, or it may be an unmitigated disaster. But if you want to come along for the ride, I'll at least try to make it entertaining. <br />
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Stay tuned.<br />
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xo<br />
Shelley</div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Iy-F_3QhuUM%2FVZVQZ-azMkI%2FAAAAAAAACuY%2FOYOh8zdnUkU%2Fs640%2FIMG_8822.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=UomgD6Bd0pAq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 240px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Iy-F_3QhuUM%2FVZVQZ-azMkI%2FAAAAAAAACuY%2FOYOh8zdnUkU%2Fs640%2FIMG_8822.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=UomgD6Bd0pAq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 240px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Iy-F_3QhuUM%2FVZVQZ-azMkI%2FAAAAAAAACuY%2FOYOh8zdnUkU%2Fs640%2FIMG_8822.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=UomgD6Bd0pAq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 240px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Iy-F_3QhuUM%2FVZVQZ-azMkI%2FAAAAAAAACuY%2FOYOh8zdnUkU%2Fs640%2FIMG_8822.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=UomgD6Bd0pAq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 240px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Iy-F_3QhuUM%2FVZVQZ-azMkI%2FAAAAAAAACuY%2FOYOh8zdnUkU%2Fs640%2FIMG_8822.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=UomgD6Bd0pAq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 240px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Iy-F_3QhuUM%2FVZVQZ-azMkI%2FAAAAAAAACuY%2FOYOh8zdnUkU%2Fs640%2FIMG_8822.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=UomgD6Bd0pAq&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 240px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-17390859364441044052015-06-22T12:29:00.000-05:002015-06-22T12:29:34.125-05:00*Drum Roll Please*........ THE STAIRS.A while back my sister-in-law Marleen presented me with a project and asked for my help: she had been looking at images of decorated stairs on Pinterest and wanted to know if I could paint her stair risers to look like the covers of her favourite books. <br />
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COULD I?!<br />
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You damn betcha I could. I like books. I like painting. And I even like stairs, now that I think about them. This project was right up my alley.<br />
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Well it took a while (sorry Marn!) but it's finally done. She sent me these pics yesterday of the boards all installed and pretty-looking.<br />
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I know it's hard to see the top ones but they are:<br />
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- Gone With the Wind<br />
- Charlotte's Web<br />
- Outlander<br />
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory<br />
- Dracula<br />
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This was one of the most fun projects I've ever done and I love that they loved it enough to permanently install it in their home. Biggest compliment EVER. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SDa2vJrvAg/VYhCrlNWfnI/AAAAAAAACto/wVnMkDLhBvk/s1600/stairs%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SDa2vJrvAg/VYhCrlNWfnI/AAAAAAAACto/wVnMkDLhBvk/s640/stairs%2B1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obRkdtD9kCA/VYhCujnVZ7I/AAAAAAAACtw/zdth1Fb5Ug8/s1600/stairs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obRkdtD9kCA/VYhCujnVZ7I/AAAAAAAACtw/zdth1Fb5Ug8/s640/stairs%2B2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Now... back to work. <br />
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Love Shelley!Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-32210234082288845992015-05-19T21:50:00.002-05:002015-05-19T21:51:49.913-05:00OMG I MADE AN ART JOURNAL PAGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I KNOW I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT MYSELF!!!! </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay4DfhYbUM/VVvwuK-v52I/AAAAAAAACsE/eGAS0DoAqhs/s1600/Happiness%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay4DfhYbUM/VVvwuK-v52I/AAAAAAAACsE/eGAS0DoAqhs/s640/Happiness%2B8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I signed up for a swap on swap-bot and got super-lucky - my partner ended up being someone I'm already BFFs with, so I immediately knew what kind of pages I wanted to do for her. Happy, ridiculously bright, totally experimental ones!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOE3aa4ekkw/VVvrhUlbJtI/AAAAAAAACq0/OK9THxmKZlA/s1600/Happiness%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOE3aa4ekkw/VVvrhUlbJtI/AAAAAAAACq0/OK9THxmKZlA/s640/Happiness%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I started with some fairly random 4"x6" pieces of cardstock from my overflowing collection, slapped a little paint, gesso and collage stuff on them...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4XwzFOj-V0/VVvrtwzVCsI/AAAAAAAACq8/petZSRiCA-U/s1600/Happiness%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4XwzFOj-V0/VVvrtwzVCsI/AAAAAAAACq8/petZSRiCA-U/s640/Happiness%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... then started adding bits of bright colour. I also darkened up the colours around the edges using some Inktense blocks and a water brush. GOD I LOVE THOSE INKTENSE COLOURS!!! They go on like watercolour, but then when they dry, they're permanent. So you can keep layering without ever losing the work you did underneath. Perfect for if you're not a talented watercolorist. Ahem.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp98Iss0bJg/VVvruiwssxI/AAAAAAAACrA/RAq36atFHZo/s1600/Happiness%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp98Iss0bJg/VVvruiwssxI/AAAAAAAACrA/RAq36atFHZo/s640/Happiness%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some drips here and there, more random splashes (I wore a beret and tilted my head thoughtfully to one side while I did this)*<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ly8xNLzZas/VVvsW_RR73I/AAAAAAAACrM/sZGXyi2a9lo/s1600/Happiness%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ly8xNLzZas/VVvsW_RR73I/AAAAAAAACrM/sZGXyi2a9lo/s640/Happiness%2B4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some watered-down white paint to push the background into the background...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmR5Y8qLseU/VVvsmv1nVII/AAAAAAAACrk/Ka6cPXm96CM/s1600/Happiness%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmR5Y8qLseU/VVvsmv1nVII/AAAAAAAACrk/Ka6cPXm96CM/s640/Happiness%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ohhh, now we're cooking. A few more layers of that juicy Inktense colour really brings the whole thing together.<br />
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Then a bunch of random marks and doodles with markers and paint...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xd_5gIjQHM/VVvxIIEDluI/AAAAAAAACsM/vr0Jvh9kXuU/s1600/Happiness%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xd_5gIjQHM/VVvxIIEDluI/AAAAAAAACsM/vr0Jvh9kXuU/s640/Happiness%2B7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A quote on happiness... (that was the theme, hence the bright happy colours)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay4DfhYbUM/VVvwuK-v52I/AAAAAAAACsI/vMXy8Y35my4/s1600/Happiness%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay4DfhYbUM/VVvwuK-v52I/AAAAAAAACsI/vMXy8Y35my4/s640/Happiness%2B8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And finally, I thought the balls of weirdness looked a little too floaty so I attached them all to long spires, as though they were alien-like eyeballs on stalks. Nice imagery, hey? <br />
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Some detail shots:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gI6l25DGIRc/VVvsfYWU5CI/AAAAAAAACrU/491NSWN1Mng/s1600/Happiness%2BDetail%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gI6l25DGIRc/VVvsfYWU5CI/AAAAAAAACrU/491NSWN1Mng/s640/Happiness%2BDetail%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub72KbRFuto/VVvtAa0Uu-I/AAAAAAAACrw/AWHTNa_va3E/s1600/Happiness%2BDetail%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ub72KbRFuto/VVvtAa0Uu-I/AAAAAAAACrw/AWHTNa_va3E/s640/Happiness%2BDetail%2B2.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QDMu630ESU/VVvtANdNtnI/AAAAAAAACrs/yoo-scLLKZY/s1600/Happiness%2BDetail%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QDMu630ESU/VVvtANdNtnI/AAAAAAAACrs/yoo-scLLKZY/s640/Happiness%2BDetail%2B3.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb0miAKtZUk/VVvtA1W8qrI/AAAAAAAACr8/EdXQ5EU-1mw/s1600/Happiness%2BDetail%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hb0miAKtZUk/VVvtA1W8qrI/AAAAAAAACr8/EdXQ5EU-1mw/s640/Happiness%2BDetail%2B4.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
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Making these two pages brought me such feelings of peace and joy. I definitely gotta keep doing this stuff. <br />
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But first... sleep. Goodnight.<br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
<br />
<i>* I totally didn't. I don't even recall wearing pants, now that I think of it.</i>Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-34245592387207258502015-05-03T19:41:00.002-05:002015-05-03T19:41:51.032-05:00So it's May...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ndWbBZeJM/VUbAJiMOOLI/AAAAAAAACqA/aSWsyUKNKes/s1600/Opa%2BCalendar%2BMay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7ndWbBZeJM/VUbAJiMOOLI/AAAAAAAACqA/aSWsyUKNKes/s1600/Opa%2BCalendar%2BMay.jpg" height="626" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-71756739888295182962015-04-07T08:58:00.000-05:002015-04-07T08:58:03.534-05:00A TEWTORIALSo here's how to make this postcard:<br />
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1. Eat all the Alpha-Bits; disassemble the cardboard box<br />
2. Draw the shape of your monster onto the coloured side of the cardboard<br />
3. Cut out and base coat with white gesso<br />
4. Block in colour with gouache (thick highly pigmented paint that covers excellently*)<br />
5. Drybrush lighter colours on to get highlights - you can just add white to your first colour if you don't have two shades<br />
6. Make warty-looking dots by dipping the back of your brush into the paint and dabbing onto the horns<br />
7. Use a Stabilo Marks-All pencil to add outlines and shadows<br />
8. Stand back; admire work; slap a stamp on the back and mail it to someone you like<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LELhY1_g9Hg/VSPgOsEfYXI/AAAAAAAACpM/pIucG6qWx84/s1600/monster%2Bon%2Bblack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LELhY1_g9Hg/VSPgOsEfYXI/AAAAAAAACpM/pIucG6qWx84/s1600/monster%2Bon%2Bblack.jpg" height="508" width="640" /></a></div>
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*yes, I know that's not a word<br />
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Go. Make monsters. <br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
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<i>P.S. This technique also works with Mini-Wheats.</i>Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-45981264027850963492015-03-11T09:02:00.001-05:002015-03-11T09:02:49.855-05:00Pocket LettersSo here's a new idea: pocket letters. <br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=pocket%20letters" target="_blank">I found them on Pinterest</a> (where else), <a href="http://janettelane.blogspot.ca/2015/02/what-are-pocket-letters.html" target="_blank">followed the links to the original post,</a> and this is my first crack at making a couple of them. Guess what: they're super fun.<br />
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You just take a 9-card baseball card holder, mine are from Staples, and fill up all the pockets with goodies for your pen pal. Each slot is 2 ½" x 3 ½", the same size as Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). NOT the same size as your Project Life cards. Those are a majestic 3"x4" and won't fit in here. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmsAHcgAgsM/VQBEwgGqCsI/AAAAAAAACnk/RsUacB4i_QU/s1600/pocket%2Bletter%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hmsAHcgAgsM/VQBEwgGqCsI/AAAAAAAACnk/RsUacB4i_QU/s1600/pocket%2Bletter%2B1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Anyway, these were for people who like very specific things, so they were easy to create. The first lady likes fabric, sewing, stickers, buttons, lists and gum. Those are <i>sewing</i> needles, by the way.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dE1SOKzuLn8/VQBE1o0Q8tI/AAAAAAAACns/mvtuv_ZvMzg/s1600/pocket%2Bletter%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dE1SOKzuLn8/VQBE1o0Q8tI/AAAAAAAACns/mvtuv_ZvMzg/s1600/pocket%2Bletter%2B2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The second lady loves her garden, used stamps, stickers, tea, band-aids, buttons, and things for gift-wrapping, hence the twine. Oh, and sparkly things. You probably can't tell by the pic but the star card stock and a few of the buttons are pretty glittery. Hopefully she'll like it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPf2LQIURi0/VQBKfofYlII/AAAAAAAACn8/HoA_jXTw-KM/s1600/Tiny%2BLetter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPf2LQIURi0/VQBKfofYlII/AAAAAAAACn8/HoA_jXTw-KM/s1600/Tiny%2BLetter.jpg" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wasn't sure how I was going to cram a proper letter into a single tiny pocket but I did figure out a way. I folded a piece of card stock in half, then added 3 sheets of onionskin paper, also folded in half and stapled in. Because the card is so small I was able to use my regular desk stapler for this, no special equipment required! The paper is nice and thin, and although I didn't write a novel-length letter or anything, at least I was able to say a few things. </div>
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If you're careful about how chunky all your items are, you can fold the card holder into thirds, because it fits perfectly into a business size or #10 envelope, and then mail it off. It'll likely be heavier than a regular letter, so you might need to add more postage. But if you don't make it too fat, you won't have to send it as a parcel. Hooray! </div>
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If you want to send bigger items, then this format may not be for you. But for a novelty, it is kind of cool. </div>
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Now, go make something!</div>
<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-15663929759724606252015-03-05T16:29:00.001-06:002015-03-05T16:29:40.566-06:00So you like the wee books. I am a crappy blogger. <br />
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I tell you guys I'm going to be back and show you stuff after it's done, then I either finish it and forget all about it, or get all dazzled by a new idea and never finish the initial project in the first place.<br />
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I go weeks or months between posts.<br />
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I make stuff then forget to show you.<br />
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I haven't updated my profile or links or anything in for-ev-er.<br />
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BUT. I did a Real Blogger move a few weeks ago and looked at my stats, and I realized that the only two posts that have had over 100 views are the one with the tag "Satan's Testicles" (you guys are weird) and the one with <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988890712665755933#editor/target=post;postID=2992800764088683087;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=11;src=postname" target="_blank">this little book I made</a>.<br />
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And that made me realize that one of YOUR favourite things was also one of MY favourite things. So I made another one. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R3rQRY1vLII/VPjXOWArWnI/AAAAAAAACm8/KmJbQsf06hY/s1600/book%2Bclosed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R3rQRY1vLII/VPjXOWArWnI/AAAAAAAACm8/KmJbQsf06hY/s1600/book%2Bclosed.jpg" height="612" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one's a bit smaller - 3 ½" x 3 ⅝" x 2 ½" thick. You know what it's perfect for? Instagram photos. Or Instax photos. Or just using as a junk journal. Or... something even more creative that I haven't even thought of yet. It has over 750 pages. Which is insane, but in a good way.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZm55PVXdeY/VPjXK3WOQoI/AAAAAAAACm0/eK4Coa9cHe8/s1600/book%2Bfan%2Bside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZm55PVXdeY/VPjXK3WOQoI/AAAAAAAACm0/eK4Coa9cHe8/s1600/book%2Bfan%2Bside.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></div>
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And, remember how yesterday I showed you my craft room, or at least some parts of it? Well, I managed to gather up 4 big bags/bins of material for making these little books. (Formerly spread all over the place.) So you haven't seen the last of them. <br />
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Want one? <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/shelleymalone?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Go see it in my etsy shop.</a> And I'll let you know when I make the next one. I PROMISE. No really, this time it's for real. Pinky swear. Oh fine, I know you won't believe it until you see it. Fair enough. <br />
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Until then!<br />
<br />
Shelley<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-R3rQRY1vLII%252FVPjXOWArWnI%252FAAAAAAAACm8%252FKmJbQsf06hY%252Fs1600%252Fbook%25252Bclosed.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 342px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1988890712665755933%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-R3rQRY1vLII%252FVPjXOWArWnI%252FAAAAAAAACm8%252FKmJbQsf06hY%252Fs1600%252Fbook%25252Bclosed.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 342px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-28166417337497303632015-03-04T22:08:00.000-06:002015-03-04T22:08:22.268-06:00Workspace WednesdayI'm only showing you guys this stuff because I cleaned up. Usually it's a total disgrace in here. And because I love seeing other peoples' desks and having a virtual snoop around. So I bet you do too. <br />
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Oh, you DON'T?????<br />
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Liar.<br />
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The Desk. Unseasonably tidy but probably won't stay that way for long. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ-p91FnC4U/VPfSFiy9ODI/AAAAAAAACmY/ZWd1FVC1Auc/s1600/Desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ-p91FnC4U/VPfSFiy9ODI/AAAAAAAACmY/ZWd1FVC1Auc/s1600/Desk.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Ikea rolling cart. Yes, everybody has one. You know why? Cause they're AWESOME, that's why.<br />
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Small bookshelf to the right of my desk. The top shelf is scotch tape, a stapler (usually but I see it's on the desk at the moment), and two containers of washi tape. Middle shelf: different media for painting and a wooden drawer full of different sizes and styles of index cards. Mainly vintage. Bottom shelf: a basket full of odds and ends like eyelets, wire, hinges, all sorts of crap. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what's all in there. Beside it is a wooden crate full of more index card stuff. The bottom crate has SECRET IMPORTANT STUFF in it. You know, things I needed to have but now have no clue what I needed them for. Example: 20 mismatched fancy silver spoons. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEHSFagijWc/VPfR5d9lLRI/AAAAAAAACmI/hNHIzOw9RLI/s1600/Black%2BBookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fEHSFagijWc/VPfR5d9lLRI/AAAAAAAACmI/hNHIzOw9RLI/s1600/Black%2BBookshelf.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This bookshelf has a lot of empty books and journals. In fact, I don't dare count them because I'm not sure I can fill that many in my lifetime. But I'm going to go down trying.<br />
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Third shelf is all my fountain pens and inks; then a basket full of heavy-body acrylics. Bottom shelf is a basket full of Jo Sonya acrylic paints and a bizarre selection of CDs, and a flower pot full of paintbrushes. Because I'm Fancy.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eiJXoENvulg/VPfR-6VqkeI/AAAAAAAACmQ/Gx6UAuaJpIc/s1600/Second%2BBookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eiJXoENvulg/VPfR-6VqkeI/AAAAAAAACmQ/Gx6UAuaJpIc/s1600/Second%2BBookshelf.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The clamp lamps are for the white photo booth I made myself in January. I haven't figured out the finer points of photographing with it yet but when I do, you'll know. Hint: because my photos won't be so mediocre.<br />
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That's enough for today. I'm enjoying the fact that it isn't an obstacle course to get to my desk. I might go sit in there and gloat a little. <br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-20033998312074974772015-02-17T14:32:00.002-06:002015-02-17T14:32:56.962-06:00It seemed like a good idea at the time...<br />
But we'll see if the googly eyes really make it through the mail or not. But if they DO, then they are going on EVERYTHING from now on!! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuE8buAn3aU/VOOi2u3ed8I/AAAAAAAACkc/1y1m6WGYVxc/s1600/IMG_8022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kuE8buAn3aU/VOOi2u3ed8I/AAAAAAAACkc/1y1m6WGYVxc/s1600/IMG_8022.JPG" height="506" width="640" /></a></div>
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Imagine the phone company, or hydro employees. I like to keep the world entertained, you know. Especially the ones with jobs like opening envelopes. If they have to deal with the mail, then they are part of my tribe. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huCH_9h1mto/VOOi2mEgbtI/AAAAAAAACkY/_bCSeUUpjbA/s1600/IMG_8023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huCH_9h1mto/VOOi2mEgbtI/AAAAAAAACkY/_bCSeUUpjbA/s1600/IMG_8023.JPG" height="526" width="640" /></a></div>
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Suckers.<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-89772366204837968452015-02-02T10:35:00.000-06:002015-02-02T10:35:47.714-06:00Opa, it's February!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I doubt my dad has ever seen the episode of the Simpsons where Homer hums this little ditty, but he's heard the rest of us say it often enough that it's stuck, and now it's kind of one of his things. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LYTTq7WB98/VM-gv94ydLI/AAAAAAAACjs/ndoHtyllGRM/s1600/SMRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LYTTq7WB98/VM-gv94ydLI/AAAAAAAACjs/ndoHtyllGRM/s1600/SMRT.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></div>
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This is the second month of his Christmas present calendar. He is a pretty content man, and rarely wants or asks for anything for his birthday or Christmas, so it's hard to think of good gifts for him. I got input from some of my siblings on his most popular phrases, and then we went with the ones that didn't have cuss words in them. HA! <br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1988890712665755933#editor/target=post;postID=5904275636300917777;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname" target="_blank">You can see January here.</a><br />
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As you were.<br />
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Love Shelley!Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-57378910925378952512015-01-29T15:36:00.002-06:002015-01-29T15:36:54.871-06:00Hi ho, it's your favourite art dork here.No, seriously. <br />
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I got the itch today to make something, so I figured I'd make an envelope from scratch for a letter that was ready to send. I started with two blank time sheets, then collaged, glued, painted, doodled, sewed, all that good stuff. It went really smoothly - the muse was definitely IN. <br />
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Then: this is supposed to be an envelope. How shall I join the two together so that I can stuff a letter in it and ship it off into the great unknown? <br />
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Idea: use the office laminator!! In <i>fact</i> (genius lightbulb moment) I should just layer it all together. Back of envelope, letter, front of envelope! Run the whole thing through the laminator! Then once it reaches its destination, its new owner has merely to snip off the top, as if it was a bag of delicious animal crackers, and the enclosed letter will be accessible and easy to read! GAWD I'M SO SMART SOMETIMES I EVEN AMAZE MYSELF.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51qe4pVpbdw/VMqiQveNSEI/AAAAAAAACjE/EkY7UIbgaOg/s1600/post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-51qe4pVpbdw/VMqiQveNSEI/AAAAAAAACjE/EkY7UIbgaOg/s1600/post.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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To the office! Set up the laminator! Turn it on! Layer carefully - make sure the back of the envelope is in fact facing out! Okay, now run it thr- uh oh. What's that grinding noise? Ohboy. I don't think this laminator can handle that stack of pages. SHIT! PULL IT OUT PULL IT OUT! Phew. Okay, I don't think I wrecked anything. *looks guiltily around to make sure nobody saw me* *remembers I am alone*<br />
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New idea: Laminate the front and back together. Then I'LL clip the top open like a bag of delicious animal crackers. I'll put the letter in, tape it closed, and voila. HOLY SHIT I'M THE BIGGEST GENIUS I SHOULD TOTALLY GET A RAISE.<br />
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Back into the laminator! La la laaaaa! *so proud* OMG why is it grinding again?! CRAP! Ah, for the love ... okay. Back to the drawing board. I willllllll........... ok. OK! I will laminate the front, and I will laminate the back, and then I will find a completely different way to put them together into the form of an envelope. *deep breath* *slides single layers of arted-up time sheets through* Motherf--- WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW? Why is the carrier sheet coming out the back but NOT MY ENVELOPE?! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee2HGlh-kTc/VMqiJOxaX6I/AAAAAAAACi0/yow8jNU2jo0/s1600/deliver%2Bto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee2HGlh-kTc/VMqiJOxaX6I/AAAAAAAACi0/yow8jNU2jo0/s1600/deliver%2Bto.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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*takes laminator apart* *says more bad words* *finds that first sheet kept rolling inside and is stuck and all curly* *unsticks and uncurls it* *reassembles laminator* *looks around again to be sure nobody is witnessing this jackassery* *still alone, thank God* *turns it on and runs the rest of it through*<br />
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Ah. Better. I suppose I should have followed the directions on top of the laminator (THAT ARE IN PICTOGRAMS SO THAT EVEN A DUMBASS LIKE ME CAN FOLLOW THEM) that show that you put your material INSIDE the carrier sheet. Not on top of it. Jeez. </div>
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Anyway, too late for directions now. Run it through one more time, fingers crossed that it will uncurl and be relatively straight so I can still use it. Otherwise: all that work for nothing, and then I'll just have to start day drinking way earlier than planned. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSNcLyBZiOo/VMqiJ5jNtbI/AAAAAAAACi8/2ceHQXQHZ1Y/s1600/braille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSNcLyBZiOo/VMqiJ5jNtbI/AAAAAAAACi8/2ceHQXQHZ1Y/s1600/braille.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></a></div>
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SUCCESS!!! OMG I'm exhausted. But I got my two sheets laminated. <br />
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<u><b>WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:</b></u> </div>
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<li>Take pictures before it's shiny. </li>
<li>Braille Dymo tape does not fare well when going through a hot laminator. </li>
<li>I probably require adult supervision.</li>
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You've been very patient. Here you go:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHy_w4lnB1k/VMqmMQbfw7I/AAAAAAAACjY/zaqPgwe4wFE/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHy_w4lnB1k/VMqmMQbfw7I/AAAAAAAACjY/zaqPgwe4wFE/s1600/front.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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Love Shelley!<br />
<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-64726211606178904712015-01-18T17:29:00.000-06:002015-01-18T17:29:07.503-06:00I just can't help myself.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello, my lovelies!</div>
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I have a confession to make: I've been sending mail again. I was at the library the other day and of course they're always selling off old books to make way for new shiny ones. I found a couple of kids' books that had great illustrations, and snatched them up to use for envelopes. "SACRILEGE! WHO TEARS BOOKS APART?!" you howl in righteous outrage. Well, me. I do. See, these are <i>kids'</i> books. They have been dragged around, scratched up, drooled on, torn, doodled on with crayons and pudding fingers, and basically treated like... I guess like any other possession a kid has. So they weren't exactly in mint condition anyway. I just tell myself I'm giving them a new life... a final hurrah, I guess. Anyway, the envelopes are adorable. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlr6epXq9kU/VLbvjgawT4I/AAAAAAAACiI/DFcWcLlswIY/s1600/IMG_7880%2Bno%2Baddress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlr6epXq9kU/VLbvjgawT4I/AAAAAAAACiI/DFcWcLlswIY/s1600/IMG_7880%2Bno%2Baddress.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
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The piglet above is going to a customer. The cross-eyed alligator below is going to a young friend who's been waiting too long for a letter from me. I tried to make it as enticing as possible, including adding a wax seal on the back. After all... I do want her to write back! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHaAtwIVopc/VLbvbZ3il-I/AAAAAAAACiA/GvGNUe8bvbA/s1600/IMG_7881%2Bno%2Baddress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHaAtwIVopc/VLbvbZ3il-I/AAAAAAAACiA/GvGNUe8bvbA/s1600/IMG_7881%2Bno%2Baddress.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope you're all making and getting fun mail. Trust me, it can really make your day to find something joyful in the mailbox! Go. GO!!! Make something. Then mail it to someone who's not expecting it. I guarantee good results. And I don't guarantee much, so that's saying something. (Go.)<br />
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Love, Shelley!<br />
<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-59042756363009177772015-01-14T16:12:00.000-06:002015-02-02T10:17:41.108-06:00Merry Pretty Late Christmas, Opa!Happy new year, all six of you! : )<br />
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Okay, I spent the last couple of months tying up some loose ends, and now I'm ready to focus again. Honestly, I haven't been making anything too artsy-fartsy, to my eternal regret. Now I'm a little rusty, but still as eager as ever to create. </div>
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The very first thing I did was over-commit. Don't look so surprised, you know I do this every single time. </div>
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I decided that for Christmas, I would make my dad a calendar full of hand-lettered quotes of all the things he's known for saying. Of course, I didn't make the Christmas deadline, but I'm on it now. I have six or seven drafts, and here's some work-in-progress shots of the first one.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVxuKm6UR1o/VLbmtiZ1jJI/AAAAAAAAChk/pS3HPlQFIA4/s1600/IMG_7866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVxuKm6UR1o/VLbmtiZ1jJI/AAAAAAAAChk/pS3HPlQFIA4/s1600/IMG_7866.jpg" height="640" width="554" /></a><br />
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I lettered it myself, so if you're a typography wizard and you see kerning outrages or issues with my descenders, don't bother pointing the finger at anybody else. It's all me.<br />
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When I finished the lettering, the brown and black just seemed to hang there. Boring. Alone. Unloved. So I added some warm colours to make the whole thing seem a little happier. <br />
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It's hanging up in my parents' kitchen; now I just have to get hustling and finish the other 11 months. (gulp).<br />
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Guess I know what I'm doing for the next little while.<br />
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Love, Shelley!</div>
Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-46806700976525386042014-11-20T12:02:00.002-06:002014-11-20T12:02:36.438-06:00Makin' loooooove, outta nothin' at all! Hmm. Maybe that isn't the EXACT song quote I was looking for, but it's what came to mind. I made this tiny little mini-zine (8 pages, but it's made from one piece of 8.5x11 paper) from just the scraps on my desk. It's not long on quality content, but it does go to show that you can do something fun with the bits and pieces left over from other projects, or that you just can't stand to throw away. <br />
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See? Hoarder tendency: justified.</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/211997600/mini-zine-stuff-and-nonsense-vol-1?" target="_blank">Get yours here.</a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u7_K6RGFPU/VG4gNLdSeHI/AAAAAAAACf0/32x_aDlNfIQ/s1600/IMG_7470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u7_K6RGFPU/VG4gNLdSeHI/AAAAAAAACf0/32x_aDlNfIQ/s1600/IMG_7470.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I plan to take over the world (you'll just have to buy the zine to find out)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NGdMwDPMB60/VG4ghXProSI/AAAAAAAACf8/xlbUSUMpj18/s1600/IMG_7472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NGdMwDPMB60/VG4ghXProSI/AAAAAAAACf8/xlbUSUMpj18/s1600/IMG_7472.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back</td></tr>
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Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-7696176434679653532014-11-07T10:59:00.000-06:002014-11-07T10:59:17.436-06:00Very Pinteresting!So you know when I'm quiet for a while, I'm clearly up to no good, right? Well, I accepted a project that has been a ton of fun, and I've been working away at it like a good little elf. (I'll report on the no-good stuff in a different post. Heh.)<br />
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My sister-in-law <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=stairs%20painted%20like%20books&term_meta%5B%5D=stairs%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=painted%7Cguide%7Cword%7C1&term_meta%5B%5D=like+books%7Cguide%7Cword%7C6&add_refine=like+books%7Cguide%7Cword%7C6" target="_blank">found this idea on Pinterest</a>, and asked if I could paint some stair risers for her basement like the ones she was admiring online. I love painting and I love books, so I jumped on board without a second thought. This life strategy usually makes me gnash my teeth with deep regret at my impulsiveness, and I don't really recommend it. Luckily, this time it's been a really fun project all the way through and I don't even hate anybody yet. She used leftover interior paint to base coat the planks, which is a great idea because now they'll match her house, regardless of what lettering I add to them.<br />
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Here's a pic of the whole set, with just the base coat of the lettering done.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W7BK0jBOWU/VFz3nehdgDI/AAAAAAAACfU/SJOX9uwPXb4/s1600/Thirteen%2BRisers%2BDraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W7BK0jBOWU/VFz3nehdgDI/AAAAAAAACfU/SJOX9uwPXb4/s1600/Thirteen%2BRisers%2BDraft.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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And here's a closer shot of three that have the lettering detail done.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMcQD0XDbC0/VFz3lg7yzlI/AAAAAAAACfM/WcNvjQ2M3k4/s1600/Harry%2BLord%2BDracula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMcQD0XDbC0/VFz3lg7yzlI/AAAAAAAACfM/WcNvjQ2M3k4/s1600/Harry%2BLord%2BDracula.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have a couple more risers to detail, then they all need the shading/highlighting that will make them look more rounded, and not like flat pieces of plywood glued to the front of each step. They might not be photo-realistic when I'm done, but I do hope the illusion will hold up if a viewer squints and has a kind heart. <br />
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More to follow...<br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-5982259131372405582014-07-25T11:16:00.000-05:002014-07-25T11:16:00.016-05:00Self-Mailers... they do everything but walk to the mailbox themselves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, they totally don't. BUT! They are still pretty cool. Remember passing notes in high school? Sometimes you folded them in half, then in half the other way, then in half once more; but other times they were folded in such a way that they stayed together and made a nice stiff little packet that was easy to pass back and forth.</div>
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These are like those! (The second "those," not the first "those". The first "those" are boring.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUVsKlCvQqU/U8_duHlSq6I/AAAAAAAACbo/YMmccM3UTWg/s1600/Mail+Art+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUVsKlCvQqU/U8_duHlSq6I/AAAAAAAACbo/YMmccM3UTWg/s1600/Mail+Art+Front.jpg" height="640" width="386" /></a></div>
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The deal was to figure out a way to fold your letter so it could go through the mail system safely, without going into an envelope. This fold isn't one that I used in high school but it's actually pretty cool. When you're done, you end up with a little corner pocket that folds over the top right corner, and loosely keeps it together. I made sure to cover the edge with a stamp so it holds together until it reaches its new home. I know the "start here" is pretty tiny - I hope these lovely ladies see that before they just rip n tear into the envelope and destroy it. I kind of gave myself a mental picture there. Ha!<br />
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Nothing really fancy for the back, just some more decoration and a declaration of what this colourful, extremely light "envelope" is all about.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgg1Pd9ar1Y/U8_dyR2T6QI/AAAAAAAACbw/s1QuIPZbzxY/s1600/Mail+Art+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgg1Pd9ar1Y/U8_dyR2T6QI/AAAAAAAACbw/s1QuIPZbzxY/s1600/Mail+Art+Back.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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All doodled up in pencil crayon and ready to roll Like me. Gotta jet. Bye!<br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-53600595626202341262014-07-24T09:30:00.000-05:002014-07-24T09:30:00.820-05:00Oh, right... the round robinI guess you want to see MY book too, right? <br />
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I started with a small Field Notes memo book, and collaged used postage on the cover. I wanted it to be really light to mail so it wouldn't cost everyone too much. In a swap like this, you want to make it as easy as possible for people, so your book doesn't get held up.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UU004rkLUs/U8_RwAJFb2I/AAAAAAAACbE/yBwNdJHD-_I/s1600/Round+Robin+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UU004rkLUs/U8_RwAJFb2I/AAAAAAAACbE/yBwNdJHD-_I/s1600/Round+Robin+1.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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It's traditional to put your contact info inside the cover in case it should get lost; and the sign-in page is optional but most people do it. Otherwise you end up with really cool pages that are signed with an inscrutable mark and later you have no idea who worked in it or when. And then how do you go about stalking your favourite artists?! So clearly we need a sign-in page.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Khr0krnoo/U8_RvZPKV2I/AAAAAAAACbA/ArUZ760jlXo/s1600/Round+Robin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Khr0krnoo/U8_RvZPKV2I/AAAAAAAACbA/ArUZ760jlXo/s1600/Round+Robin+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also traditional: do the first spread yourself. It sets the tone, plus lets the other participants know that you're willing to do some work, that you're not just sending out an empty book to scam art from other people. (It happens.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmuIwGLPw-g/U8_Rz9yCgaI/AAAAAAAACbQ/m745JsV0JRs/s1600/Round+Robin+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmuIwGLPw-g/U8_Rz9yCgaI/AAAAAAAACbQ/m745JsV0JRs/s1600/Round+Robin+3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't imagine I'll see this book again until around Christmas. I'm fine with that - it will be a nice juicy surprise when I do receive it! <br />
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Okay, now go step away from the computer. You should get some fresh air. I'm going to go see what the chickens are up to.<br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-15172416366863029412014-07-23T09:59:00.001-05:002014-07-23T09:59:44.732-05:00I know it's shark week, but...I like the octopus a lot better than boring old grey sharks. Lookit the COLOURS!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1pv5U_-m_I/U8_LtK7-9yI/AAAAAAAACaw/tjMhiHsatNU/s1600/Octopus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1pv5U_-m_I/U8_LtK7-9yI/AAAAAAAACaw/tjMhiHsatNU/s1600/Octopus.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is for a round robin journal swap I'm in - everyone does one 2-page spread and then sends it along in a timely fashion, and eventually you get your own journal back, full of all the other participants' glorious artwork. It's fun to see what books people choose (this one was actually hand-made) and what kind of paper you get to work on. This one was a very light kraft paper so I knew I wouldn't be able to use any wet media. I ended up going with Verithin pencil crayons and finished it up with a black china marker. Unfortunately the china marker sort of took it from "fine art" to "colouring book" but luckily for me, I like it.<br />
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Hope you're rockin' your day,<br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-29928007640886830872014-07-15T19:52:00.000-05:002014-07-15T19:52:26.652-05:00In over my head... again.So a couple (few?) weeks ago I saw a really cool hand-made book online. <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/magnificents/bookmaking/" target="_blank">I THOUGHT I had pinned it, </a>but do you think I can find it? Noooooo. I decided to try to make one myself anyway.<br />
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It involves a cardboard box, preferably short and stocky, and an x-acto knife, to start with.<br />
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Then about a bazillion pieces of salvaged/recycled/vintage/cool paper to make the signatures. That part only took oh, about FOURTEEN HOURS. Then stitching in the signatures, which had me saying a few bad words, while I stabbed my fingers repeatedly. Don't worry though - I also infused this book with LOVE, not just blood.*<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8qn2CsuzR8/U8XCLUqbcpI/AAAAAAAACZg/sgm2JGRBXz8/s1600/Book+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8qn2CsuzR8/U8XCLUqbcpI/AAAAAAAACZg/sgm2JGRBXz8/s1600/Book+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The result is this. THE chunkiest little book I've ever made. It's 4 ¾" wide, 5 ¾" high, and 3 ¾" deep. THREE AND THREE-QUARTER INCHES. I'm pretty sure that's even bigger than a box of Pop-Tarts. (Yum, Pop-Tarts...)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WbspMvUhn0/U8XHmQ6Ch2I/AAAAAAAACZ8/GBkS-UtDQC0/s1600/Book+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WbspMvUhn0/U8XHmQ6Ch2I/AAAAAAAACZ8/GBkS-UtDQC0/s1600/Book+5.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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Hardly ANY goofs with the binding (that couldn't be covered up with the vintage ribbon).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uBbz_DpYiE/U8XCSYxOvbI/AAAAAAAACZw/qAK_G1j6rFs/s1600/Book+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uBbz_DpYiE/U8XCSYxOvbI/AAAAAAAACZw/qAK_G1j6rFs/s1600/Book+4.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></a></div>
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The front and back cover are both collaged with used postage stamps from various sources**.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RY1P27JFgjQ/U8XCHsn6r0I/AAAAAAAACZY/Kzuv10SBlhk/s1600/Book+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RY1P27JFgjQ/U8XCHsn6r0I/AAAAAAAACZY/Kzuv10SBlhk/s1600/Book+3.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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The inside is stuffed with over 400 pages (that's over 800 writing/drawing/arting surfaces!) of dictionary pages, illustrations, maps, music, weather reports, ledger papers, things in different languages (including Braille), and all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff. You'd be surprised how much of your stash you have to use up to create this size of a book. I'm almost ready to start collecting again!***<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoQG0JghaKU/U8XCNrrmcSI/AAAAAAAACZo/HVcnqxfvLqg/s1600/Book+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoQG0JghaKU/U8XCNrrmcSI/AAAAAAAACZo/HVcnqxfvLqg/s1600/Book+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here it is open, in all its glory. Ready for someone to fill it with memories, writing, doodles, receipts, lists, all kinds of bits and pieces of fun. It won't be me though. I love this book but I'm setting it free into the world, on account of it doesn't fit in my pocket and therefore is Not The Book For Me. I put it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/196504490/deliciously-fat-handmade-junk-journal?" target="_blank">into my etsy shop </a>this afternoon. <br />
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*Don't worry, there's no actual blood in the book. So no buying it to do spells.<br />
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**Most of which are completely legit, and none of which included this stamp that arrived on today's mail.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M04az0zVKh4/U8XL81StG_I/AAAAAAAACaI/JR-GvYkpivk/s1600/Offensive+Stamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M04az0zVKh4/U8XL81StG_I/AAAAAAAACaI/JR-GvYkpivk/s1600/Offensive+Stamp.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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***BAHAHAHAHA as if I ever stopped.<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-57764141888974686782014-07-01T16:36:00.000-05:002014-07-01T16:36:30.201-05:00DID YOU MISS ME?Because I sure miss making stuff to post here. Lately there hasn't been too much creative stuff going on, but today I stole some time from the "should-do" conscience-type stuff and did a page in my art journal. <br />
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I started with this handsome fella. My daughter is completely grossed out and wouldn't come near me the whole time I was working on this page, so now I'm going to make a photocopy of him and put it on a popsicle stick and hold it up when I want to be left alone. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hKQTYFAY0g/U7MnKUNn4pI/AAAAAAAACYE/WnPJBc0lW9k/s1600/defenses+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hKQTYFAY0g/U7MnKUNn4pI/AAAAAAAACYE/WnPJBc0lW9k/s1600/defenses+1.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
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Collage, spray inks, some tape, Inktense pencils and some Sharpie paint pens...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oId78x7vfno/U7MnRpc1YhI/AAAAAAAACYM/xz9w1xqCMAo/s1600/defenses+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oId78x7vfno/U7MnRpc1YhI/AAAAAAAACYM/xz9w1xqCMAo/s1600/defenses+2.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then a regular brush marker, more Sharpie, and some Warm White gouache...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRdlkAQX8CA/U7MnrDrY74I/AAAAAAAACYc/ouFbdILNtB0/s1600/defenses+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRdlkAQX8CA/U7MnrDrY74I/AAAAAAAACYc/ouFbdILNtB0/s1600/defenses+3.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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But then it was too light, so I went back and added some more colour with the Inktense pencils again. Oh, and a shirt. Dude was looking a little freaky just hanging there in the middle of the page.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lx1_myrJOME/U7MnnDj0YqI/AAAAAAAACYU/IsF-Z6Sli0k/s1600/defenses+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lx1_myrJOME/U7MnnDj0YqI/AAAAAAAACYU/IsF-Z6Sli0k/s1600/defenses+4.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
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Totally thought about stopping right here and letting the rest go unsaid. Nice clean areas on the page, could possibly come back later and add to it... but no.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RNEBkBJf84/U7Mn6g4AO0I/AAAAAAAACYk/pCTmSCKwnwE/s1600/defenses+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4RNEBkBJf84/U7Mn6g4AO0I/AAAAAAAACYk/pCTmSCKwnwE/s1600/defenses+5.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
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Why stop when you can give him a Where's Waldo t-shirt and then wildly overshare with the internet?<br />
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Anyway, the next page is already planned out and it's pretty much a response to this page. Yes, I know. That's dumb. How does one respond to oneself? Well, stay tuned and you'll see.<br />
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Until then...<br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-8599514447772867542014-02-10T11:11:00.000-06:002014-02-10T11:11:09.447-06:00Still Drawing; Not Rich and Famous Yet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This elephant is taking FOREVER. She's not quite done yet but we're getting there.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVCg7WNmuI/UvkD-jEdkHI/AAAAAAAACSg/da7ncPJ0s1A/s1600/Elephant+Nearly+Done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVCg7WNmuI/UvkD-jEdkHI/AAAAAAAACSg/da7ncPJ0s1A/s1600/Elephant+Nearly+Done.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Instructor did "surprise life drawing" night - I wondered if he had naked people stashed away somewhere that he was going to spring on us. But no. Some people had talked about having trouble getting fabric draping drawn correctly, so he gave us a chance to practice. He was even kind enough to model for us, although he did yell, "Oh my GOD, it's HIDEOUS!" when he saw my drawing… presumably he doesn't love seeing his likeness any more than I like seeing mine….or, it's a really bad drawing. </div>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtbuqBQUhxs/UvkEQlSAX1I/AAAAAAAACS4/SEp1S03Icwo/s1600/Instructor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtbuqBQUhxs/UvkEQlSAX1I/AAAAAAAACS4/SEp1S03Icwo/s1600/Instructor.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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These are the triplet bear cubs from the movie "Brave". Some days the drawing goes well and some days, not so much. I drew about three pages of stuff over the course of two days and this is the only drawing I'd even want to show you out of that batch. Bleah. </div>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5atzGqDN5tg/UvkEUfcYyQI/AAAAAAAACTA/ip4Jgr1Tyzg/s1600/Triplet+Bear+Cubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5atzGqDN5tg/UvkEUfcYyQI/AAAAAAAACTA/ip4Jgr1Tyzg/s1600/Triplet+Bear+Cubs.jpg" height="268" width="640" /></a></div>
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It occurred to me that I might want to learn to draw hair, since most people have some. </div>
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb_epPng9vM/UvkECRC95GI/AAAAAAAACSw/iwNn9e9GMRo/s1600/Hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb_epPng9vM/UvkECRC95GI/AAAAAAAACSw/iwNn9e9GMRo/s1600/Hair.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div>
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Everything went well with this pic of Andre Braugher until I tried to a) draw his face and b) make his skin black. Bah.</div>
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I reverted back to cartoon characters - this guy is cute AND has a little girl playmate that I plan to draw next. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5GARFwNqWc/UvkD_j7u_MI/AAAAAAAACSo/FKs6Mjy4Xwk/s1600/Boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5GARFwNqWc/UvkD_j7u_MI/AAAAAAAACSo/FKs6Mjy4Xwk/s1600/Boy.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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I dug around and found all the different lead hardnesses to start this class, but I've found I use mainly two pencils: a 4H and a Palomino Blackwing. And a lot of erasing, of course. <br />
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These are just the pics out of my sketchbook. Next time, I'll show you a couple of my assignments. One even has COLOUR!<br />
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Until then,<br />
Love Shelley!<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-51285328708297992882014-02-02T20:52:00.000-06:002014-02-02T20:52:09.346-06:00OMG I TOUCHED JENNY LAWSON'S ARMSo this happened.<br />
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You may not know this about me, but I have known deep in my heart for the past few years that I would give my left nut to meet Jenny (The Bloggess) Lawson. Well guess who came to Winnipeg yesterday WHY YES IT WAS JENNY (THE BLOGGESS) LAWSON.<br />
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I love this woman. She has written a gloriously bizarre <a href="http://thebloggess.com/lets-pretend-this-never-happened-a-mostly-true-memoir/" target="_blank">book</a>, and <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">blogs</a> about things I couldn't think up on my best day. One of her cats is named Ferris Mewler. The other is Hunter S. Thomcat. She's incredibly enthusiastic about dressing up old taxidermied animals in tiny hats and clothes and false eyelashes and makeup and giving them funny names. She asked Wil Wheaton to send her a picture of himself collating paper, and he did. She surprised her husband with a giant steel chicken named Beyonce. If this sounds spectacularly ridiculous, it's because it is. The flip side is that she has a crippling anxiety problem, mixed in with other disagreeable health issues, and that she speaks openly and honestly about them on her blog. You'd think this would be a downer, but it's just the opposite. You may not believe me but if you read her you'll see. She gives the rest of us hope, no matter what issues we may be dealing with. <br />
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I didn't want to spook her with my fangirl glee, but after I stood politely in front of her for a while doing a slightly agitated pee-pee dance, she was gracious enough to let me geek out and have a picture with her. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K87aE2Nqmxs/Uu72f5Vv7sI/AAAAAAAACSA/-4fVotgTnzM/s1600/Jenny+and+Shelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K87aE2Nqmxs/Uu72f5Vv7sI/AAAAAAAACSA/-4fVotgTnzM/s1600/Jenny+and+Shelley.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please note that I did not try to a) kiss her on the lips or b) put her in my pocket and take her home to show my sister. <br />I believe I showed admirable restraint.</td></tr>
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Knowing Jenny's appreciation for slightly dilapidated preserved animals, someone brought in a stuffed fox to help her feel more comfortable; after it was put it to a vote he was named Derrick, and then Jenny showed up and discreetly pointed out that Derrick was actually a girl. <br />
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She's so polite she's practically Canadian.<br />
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Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-59287003203577727642014-01-30T10:58:00.000-06:002014-01-30T10:58:22.589-06:00So I'm taking this class...I signed up for Childrens Book Illustration, a night class offered at the community college, and there is A LOT of homework. Which is good, because it forces me to draw. Want to see? Good, let's go!<br />
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This was the first assignment I handed in. We had to draw children in three different age ranges; and in three different states (standing, sitting, in motion). I used reference photos from the internet, and the bottom two are in pencil, various lead hardnesses. The flying kid was sketched out in pencil, and then I used a manga set of markers to shade him in. Sorry about the demon eyes. I got a little carried away with the marker.<br />
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Sketchbook - we're supposed to fill three pages in our sketchbook every week. Doesn't sound like much, does it? (ha.)<br />
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Again these are all from reference photos. I wish I had the imagination to make up stuff like this on my own, but nope. This was all done with a red Col-Erase pencil. It's a pencil crayon but erasable. Allegedly. I was sitting on the couch and was too lazy to get up and look for an eraser, so I just scribbled harder to go over the parts I didn't like.<br />
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The cow went on some outgoing mail; I found her by doing a google image search for "cow" and she came up as "curious cow". She was outlined in a Micron pen and then coloured in with Copic markers, kind of a quick-and-dirty job since I'm really not great with markers (YET). Then I found a website that is all about character development, (visual, not like working hard and never telling a lie) and it's not in English, but there are a ton of great reference photos. All the hamster drawings are in pencil. I love this little guy. From the website it looks like he's in the Disney movie "Bolt," which I haven't seen. I figured I'd better start working on some kind of stuff that kids would like, since the final project is to illustrate a 16-page kids' book. I'm sweating a little just thinking about it. Then again, being challenged like this is sure to make me grow. Or have a nervous breakdown - one of those two things.<br />
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This big momma is a work in progress. I just got started on her last night. I hope to finish her tonight, because I still have to complete two more sketchbook pages for Monday, PLUS my assignment. Yikes. Anyway, this is from a reference photo from a National Geographic book I snagged at Value Village. So far I've only used a 4H pencil and a Palomino Blackwing. I might add more values with different pencils, but I'm not very good at that yet. Since I <i>used</i> to just cross my fingers and hope you could tell what it was supposed to be, I think I've made some progress. HA! (Oh, and if I haven't, it's an elephant.)<br />
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I have a LOT more work on the go for this class. I'll post pics as I go along. I'm hoping to see some real improvement between now and the end of March when it's over. Critiques welcome - you might see something I don't, so let me have it. <br />
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Love Shelley!<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1988890712665755933.post-37046576515482712632013-11-16T09:19:00.004-06:002013-11-16T09:19:44.802-06:00Dear Sarah...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Would you believe that I have not one, not TWO, but <span style="font-size: large;">THREE </span>pen pals named Sarah? <br />
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Well believe it, baby. Look:<br />
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This is for the first and closest Sarah. She sent me the Most Amazing Package last time she wrote. And this time I didn't have any treats to send her but I did use a plastic clamshell to at least make it interesting to receive. I remembered to snap a pic of it JUST before I slipped it into the mailbox. I wrapped the actual letter in some other paper to keep the mailman from being able to read it. Since part of it was about the difficulty of getting a chicken to hold still so I could practice giving it stitches, I thought that was for the best.<br />
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Sarah Red? Totally different personality. Also fiercely intelligent, down to earth, and a ton of fun to talk to in letters. This time I picked a clear plastic envelope and used some paper out of a notebook to give it a nice background. And to keep the mailman from seeing what I wrote. Since part of it was about French beauty pageants and taking purses into football games… wait. That's not that bad! Next time I might just let it intrigue the people whose hands it passes through.</div>
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Sarah in the UK is the newest and bravest Sarah. She had to write me a letter and basically knew nothing about me, so she went out on a limb to tell me a little about herself in the hopes that we would get along and I would write back. Mission accomplished! She left out enough intriguing details that she tweaked my curiosity and I had to find out more. MY letter is full of nosy questions. This one actually went out this very morning. Strangely, the mail to and from the UK is faster than to the US. So I'm sure I'll be hearing from her soon.<br />
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That's all I have to show you for today. I have to go find that chicken… talk to you soon!<br />
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xo<br />
Shelley<br />
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<br />Shelley Malonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672977702735377545noreply@blogger.com0