Wednesday, October 15, 2014


Quick Post :)




Hey Everyone :)
Just a quick post to say I'm trying
something new....

Altered Vintage Photos
( and yes I know they've been around 
forever, but have a stack of them in
my collection, and was never
brave enough to tackle the originals)

So here's my first try at them :)

'Sunny Side of Live'
Altered Vintage Photo




'Future Coffee Addict'
Altered Vintage Photo



'Poor Boy' 
Altered Vintage Photo




I'm so enjoying the process and hope
to have more to share soon :)

Enjoy!!!








Friday, October 10, 2014

Greetings Everyone :)


My apologies for such a long absence, as I 
just noticed it was back in July when I
last posted.

"Life has a way of moving forward whether
or not you are ready to follow along."

So many changes, stresses and complications
have raised their heads in my life over
these past few months. 
One being the changes in Social Media
and with the Canadian Anti-Spam Laws.

I have been busy researching the changes on
Facebook, and with the New Canadian Laws 
on Spamming and Gaming.
It turns out, what I've found out so far is, 
 I may no longer offer Giveaways and/or
offer Prizes, as the complicated Rules and Laws
for Canadian Sites and International Sites 
are quoting not only Restrictions,
 but also big Fines and Legal charges. 

All of this went along with the 
New Rules and Regulations
on Facebook July 1st, 2014, 
( and from what I can surmise, it must have been involved,
 and/or influenced by the legal changes),  and in turn, 
all Artists with small businesses have been 
effected by having to have a
separate Facebook Page for their works to be posted
instead of on their personal timelines. 


For those of us, who dabble in arts and crafts as
a hobby, with a few sales, and/or small business
set ups, like cottage industries, who make small
amounts of monies, it practically pushes us
out of the markets. 
This, and the Changes in the Postal Services and
the Price Increases tripling makes it almost
unaffordable to even have the pleasure
of having the Swaps as well. The Postal Services
New Documentations complicates having the Swaps,
as they are not informed and/or set up for the idea
that art is being 'swapped' instead of sold or gifted.
This I know first hand, as I've had conversations
with Canada Post back East on having to 
'teach' them the differences.

So, with Great Sadness and a Huge Feeling of Loss,
I will no longer be having the Fabulous 
Giveaways and Swaps here on Birdnuts Mixed Media.
At least until I am able to get more Legal Information,
(and I am so exhausted by the process of seeking
the information, that I've decided to just let it be 
until next year and see if there is any more information
or changes).

In the meantime.....

I have also been battling an ongoing illness, for 
over a year now, and I am finding it difficult
to continue with many of my Favourite Mediums of Art.
So this too, has been a hard decision, as
I will be taking a long break from my great love of 
Assemble Arts, due to
I have become sensitive to many of the 
Art Supplies needed for completing the pieces.
With advice from my doctors, I am to cut out
as many factors contributing to my sensitivity,
and getting rid of my dog and birds, and husband
just isn't going to work, ( wink :)

So for a while, this is my last Assemblage Piece
that I will be posting here on the blog, and again,
hoping by the New Year I might be able to
take up some of the fun artistic mediums again.

My Final Doll from Mary Jane Chadbourne's
Wonderful Workshop this Summer.

'Daughter of the Sea'

Using the base wood cut out from Mary Jane's
Workshop 'Imaginariam' on Artful Gathering


I launched myself into trying for the first time
PaperClay sculpting, and created the 'fish' body.
It took forever to cover the body with over 500 glass
beads....and they're heavy too collectively!


The sculpted body was a mental exorcise while I
taught myself how to create the effect I had
in my brain :)
And making her hair was a blast as well, again having
to really think it through on how to create the effect
I was picturing in my mind.


And using the Fabulous Face Graphic
from Tumble Fish Studio at Mischief Circus
(formally DeviantScrap)
and all the Wonderful Bits and Bobs of
wonderful fun from Retro Cafe Art Gallery :)

I really enjoyed making this doll, using so many
different and new mediums mixed all into one piece, 
just like my previous doll


This one as well had a plethora of mediums used, 
( some I can no longer do from my sensitivities, 
like resin use, and sealants, etc.)
So both will be treasured with my collection of
other Artists Fabulous Creations.
I still have one blank wood doll from Mary Jane's 
Fabulous Workshop, but will save that one for
next years attempt after a long rest :)


A Huge Thank You 
to All of You!
Followers and Shops Owners
who have Brilliantly made my
life richer for all of your Participation
over the past few years here on
Birdnuts Mixed Media.

And even though I'll be dabbling in
some paper arts, and tag making, journaling
and any other medium I can find to
keep my creative juices flowing,
I'll also be looking for some fun, creative
ideas on how we can all continue
to participate here on my blog in the
coming New Year. 

Until then.....

Oliver Howard and I 
Wish You All
a Fabulous Holiday Season coming and
we'll see You in the New Year :)


xoxo

Enjoy!



















Saturday, July 12, 2014

How'sYour Summer Going?

If you're like me, you have tons
of projects going all at once :)
And not just art projects!
Our weather here in my area,
has been on again, off again 
since last Spring, so many of
my outdoor projects have had 
me ping ponging, in and out
of my art room.
Nothing like doing fence cleaning and
sealing one day, then diving into
painting a canvas the next due to 
the weather.

Working on a canvas project for
an online workshop I'm taking :)


And then it is also the 
Season for Workshops!
I've signed up for 3 all at once....
( pinch me next year if I do this again:)

Starts July 16 so there's still
a couple of days if you wish 
to join in!!!

And what FUN Class Kits!!!!



YUM!!! tee hee


And Joanna's Workshop Starts July 16th in Session 2 at Artful Gatherings just as Mary Jane's so there's still time to Sign Up!!!

And as much as I'd love to be in my art room all the time, ( as in Winter months :)
I've still managed to grab and play with 
2 of my Most Fav 
Deviant Scrap Designers New Graphics Kits


( Loved playing with this Kit of 
Marsha's!)
(my self portrait....grin)

And the Wonderful



Always love Nancy's Girlies in 
her Graphics Kits.
This one I used my own background with...
may need sunglasses....grin.

And make sure you check out
all the Designers Kits on Monday
July 14! There's a big Collaboration 
Event going on!!!
TONS of New Kits!!!

So there is so much to keep busy with! 
GRIN

Even the latest edition to my art room
is enough to keep me going :)
Meet 'Doris'
My New Vintage 1958 
Singer 99K Machine

As you've seen my other machines
here on my blog, I can now say
I'm a hobbyist collector at this point :)

Which of course leads me into another
project.....rearranging the art room.
HA!!!
No time this Summer will have to
be a Winter Project :)

So that's about it for the moment,
I will have some "News"
coming up soon, on my next 
blog post. There are some very
serious changes going on 
with the Facebook and other 
Social Media and
the Canadian Governments Rules
as of July 1st, 2014
in regards to Blogs, Emails, Spam,
and some other issues. I'm currently 
involved in seeking information
and legal advice as there will 
be some changes here on my blog.

I will keep you posted :)
In the meantime.....
Oliver Howard and I wish You All
a Great Summer!

Enjoy!










Thursday, June 12, 2014

We Have Winners!!!!



It is always a pleasure for me
to Co-Hostess with 


of


All of Mary Jane's Workshops
past and present,
have been Full of Fun and Inspiration.
And Mary Jane is a Fabulous Teacher!

So it's a Total Win 
for Any of Us 
Signed up for Mary Jane's Workshops!


So it really is 'icing on the cake'
for a chance of Winning in this
Giveaway of
One of Two 
Special Workshop Kits


With Embellishments to boot!!!


That Mary Jane has so
kindly put together for
this Giveaway for the Students
of the Workshop
'The Imaginarium' 
Anthologies of an Art Doll!!

So let's get to it!

We have 2 Winners!!!

Using the Random Generator
to choose from the Great Turn Out
of Entries!!!!

The 2 Winners are.....

Elizabeth Barrow
and
Yvonne C.

Woo Hoo!!!!
Congrats!!!

Being that you both are Students
in Mary Jane's Workshop,
she should already have info
on how to contact you, but
give her a shout just in case
so she can make arrangements
to get these Fabulous Special Kits
mailed out to you! 


I'm also taking Mary Jane's Workshop
so I'll look forward to seeing you all 
in class!
Looking forward to seeing all of your
wonderful creations!!


Thank You All 
for participating in this 
Fun Giveaway
and 
And a Huge 
Thank You  
to 
of

(to bits Girlie :)

Enjoy!!!












Monday, June 9, 2014

Thought I'd Play Catch Up
with You All so Bring Coffee!!

Well it's been busy here on 
Birdnuts Mixed Media for
quite some time!
Just finished the 
Wonderful Giveaway
with Joanna Grant 
of her Workshop
at Artful Gatherings 'Gelli-Jam'
and Congrats to the Winner!
And, I still have the
Fabulous 
 Giveaway Post of 2 Class Kits
For the Students in her
 Wonderful New Workshop



The Post to Leave a Comment
to be Entered to Win is a 
couple of posts down, so 
make sure you stop by and
Leave that Comment on
that post!!!

So the 2014 Workshop Season
is in full gear over at 
And there is still time for you
to go check out the plethora
of Fabulous Artist Teacher's
Workshops! I believe Session One
has begun, but Session Two is
still Open so please do have a boo!!!

I'm keeping busy recently, 
doing a few projects and collecting
art, one of my favourite things to do :)
I love Artists, and love to surround
myself with their talents.
Recently I purchased a 
Wonderful painting by one
of my Facebook Artist Friends
Who graciously allowed me to
purchase one of her lovely creations.

Maggie's a Fabulous Artist, 
Musician, Photographer, Pet Lover,
 and 
All Round Fab Girlie in my Book :)
I just love this painting of 
Frieda and the Monkey.
So do check out Maggie on Facebook
as you never 
know when she'll be offering more
of her wonderful art!!

And the Wonderful
of 

Has her current Kit
'Dreams-Odd Show'
for Sale in Her Shop


Which includes this Fabulous
Background Kit 

And later this Week,
 Marsha's Releasing 
A Brand New Kit!
So you never know what 'buzz'
is happening around here with 
such Fun and Fabulous New Graphics
coming!!! 
GRIN..so go check it out and stay tuned!

Well there you go!
Oh wait!
Here's a fun little project I've been
working on as I'm a bit of a nerd
for organizing in my art room

If you're a customer of

Then you know about Kristin's Wonderful
Selection of Stencils her Company

Anyway, I was wanting some sort
of organized way of having my
huge assortment of Stencils
from Retro Cafe Art and this is
what I came up with.

Using Chipboard that I covered
with one of my Gelli Plate Prints
I made a Stencil File Book
just for my 
Stencils.


Front of the book
I made it as a 5 x 8 book
and using one of Ranger's 
Tim Holtz idea-ology
3 Ring Binder inserts....


Back of book....
And using 
that I stained with Tim Holtz
Distress Stain and Stamped
to bind the cover together...


I then took the insert file cards
from those great photo boxes
that you can purchase all over
for storing photo's, as I end up
not using the file cards and end up
with tons of them, so putting them
back to back, I ran them through
my sewing machine to make a pocket.
I then punched holes using 
that line up perfectly to the Binder Rings,
and Walla!!

A quick ( ok, it took a while to make :)
solution for storing and using

I think I'll be using much more of
my Gelli Prints

And will be making more of these
binders to store many other

So there you go!
Wow!
This was a catch up post! LOL!!!

Will see you all later this week
with the Winner's of 
Mary Jane Chadbourne's
Giveaway!!!

Cheers!!!!



Enjoy!