Glamor Girls in Jewel Tones

This is a piece I did in my 4 x 4 art journal.  The first couple layers were made with brushes that had a little paint left over and needed used up somewhere.  Then, I sprayed some mica ink, added an Art Chix image, some paper from the Mod Podge "Podgable Papers", a couple paper flowers, some iridescent ink over the paper and flowers and some fiber from novelty yarn.  The edges are inked with metallic pigment ink.

Thought I'd show it next to the initial layers of the background next to it (sprayed mica ink), just because I liked it.

This is a spread I did in a new altered book- another themeless one since the themed ones can end up too much like work or at least make me obsess over what I can do in the theme and I lose sleep.  The first layer is "Broken China" Distress Stain (Ranger), followed by some "classic teal" Claudine Helmuth paint (nice stuff).  Then, I added some dictionary page pieces, another Art Chix Glamor Girl, some mica ink spray, drops of iridescent ink, Stickles and novelty yarn.  It isn't finished.  I have a few ideas about where I want it to go, but it will be what it will be.

Beginnings of a background: some "classic teal" paint and a couple colors of mica ink spray.

 

Another background beginning: bubble wrap stamped "classic teal", some sprayed and some swiped mica ink.

It felt good to get back into making things with no goal or "purpose" other than feeling good.  

DIY Room Freshener

This is so simple to do, I'm not sure why anyone would use the chemical-laden, hormone disrupting, cancer-causing commercial air fresheners.

All this one involves is using a 3 oz. travel spray bottle, filling it about 3/4 full of water and adding about 15 drops of orange essential oil and about 2 drops of lavender essential oil.  Shake before use.

You can also spritz this particular formula on your hair for a little extra shine or for a nice perfume.  You know how smells always last longer in your hair?  You can take advantage of that fact here.

Orange oil is especially good for oder removal and is even recommended for improving the Feng Shui of a room.  If you made one of only lavender or lavender, ylang ylang and maybe some geranium oil, it would be for a great for spraying in your bedroom before bed for a nice, restful sleep.    

There are plenty of aromatherapy formulas out there, so you're sure to find one you love.  A couple awesome things about essential oils: most are naturally anti-bacterial and if you whatever you don't mix with a carrier oil/other essential oil or water lasts forever.  The 3 oz. bottle is nice because you will probably use it up before it goes bad.  If it smells rancid, don't use. (That makes sense, right? ;)

Just be sure the oils you use are actually essential oils and not "fragrance oils" or you risk just making a nasty chemical version.  There are some oils that shouldn't be used for certain conditions, so be sure to research that.  The ones I've listed are pretty safe and can even be used during pregnancy. (Except don't use lavender directly on little boys.  There's a possibility it affects their hormones.)

iHerb.com sells plenty of essential oils and their service is great!  If you use this code: ZEV497 then you get $10 off your first order of $40 or more or $5 off your order of less than $40.  If your order is over $60, you get free 1-3 day shipping and they always fill orders fast!  I do get credits if you use this code, but I really am very happy with their service and it sure beats using up gas and time driving around to find all the natural products I need.  They even have non-perishable food.  

Pinterest Finally Pulled Me In

If you want to see my boards/follow me on Pinterest, I finally caved and can be found here: http://pinterest.com/narahkimberly/

Of course, there is a Halloween board. :)

Art Nouveau Artist Trading Cards

copyright 2012 Narah Kimberly A. Minardi  all rights reserved

copyright 2012 Narah Kimberly A. Minardi  all rights reserved

After working so long on my Art Journaling workshop, I finally signed up for a couple of swaps.  One was for an Art Nouveau ATC swap.  Enchanted Gallery made the stamps I used for the main images and for the swirls on the 2nd ATC.  The floral background on the 1st is from a stamp by Stampfrancisco.  The very first layer (on the illustration board ATC form-which I love- so sturdy!) is a wash of acrylic paint, followed by the stamped background using solvent based Staz-On ink.  Then, I covered the cards with a piece of mesh fabric that Angelo picked out- a wine gift bag he picked up and said, "Mommy, you can use this in your artwork!"  He was right, of course! :)  Next, I adhered the Inktense and water color crayon colored images (color blended with a damp brush), that were accented with glitter marker and dimensional paint. Last came the gold ribbon and gold glittered dimensional paint around the border.

Lest you think I'm somehow not obsessing on Halloween still, today I picked up some polyester stuffing and am one step closer to creating my Folk Art witch.  Also, my dining room mantel is already decorated with Halloween festiveness. 

My belly dance class at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Educational Center starts in 11 days!  We moved the time up so people working downtown wouldn't have to kill so much time between work and class.  

Hopefully, my next post won't be so long in coming.  Hope you didn't suffer too badly while I rested. ;)