Kanti - She sings with the birds

I am excited to introduce to you my newest art doll.  This, my dear friends, is Kanti.

Kanti:  Algonquin name meaning sings.







Kanti is a clay and paper mache doll on a wire armature.  She is adorned in beautiful jewelry and glitter and her skirt is constructed of vintage sheet music and flowers.




I am so in love with this doll it is actually a little hard to talk about her.  I don't know how to describe her, as every time I look at her I just sigh because she is so lovely!




This is her back.  She has wonderful feathers and tiny little flower wings.  She wants to fly with the birds.  She is named for their song, afterall.




She sings their song.  The song of the birds.  She is always singing.




Her song is beautiful, as is her form.




Can you hear her?

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.

I am joining with the following parties:

She's a Hat Stealing Monkey!!! {Wordless Wednesday}

And the fact that it is on your head doesn't stop her from assuming it is fair game.  Just say'n!

For more Wordless Wednesday Posts check here, here, and here!

So, What can YOU Make with what you find in the 50 cent bin at the Local Thrift Store?

'Cause I'll tell you what I made!!!



Yup! A Fun Sparkly Fabric Flower Headband!!! That's WHAT!!!

I ventured down the street from my office to the little thrift store at the corner where the sweet old ladies work the counter and chat. I had a whopping $1.50 in my pocket (all in change, of course. HA!) and I was bound and determined too get the most for that $1.50! I walked out with THREE pairs of pants! Yup! THREE! Not a single one in my size. I wasn't shopping for clothes for me this time around, nope! I was looking for FABRIC!!! I picked up a pair of sparkly black fabric pants with an elastic waist. Cute? No. Not even a little. And they were HUGE. BUT, they are made of a very fun accessory fabric! I also got a pair of Gap Cords in brown. These are not huge. Actually, they are super cute and I totally wish they WERE my size, 'cause, dude, I'd totally wear 'em. BUT, alas, they are tiny. So...they will be something cute in the future! I've got some ideas! And finally, I found a lovely pair of pale yellow pants in a crinkly crepe fabric. Yup. Hideous. For reals, folks. BUT...again....GREAT fabric for other fun stuff!

So, this was my first project with my thrifted fabrics!



I simply used the twist and coil technique to create the three individual flowers. I used Helmar's 450 Quick Dry Adhesive instead of my glue gun this time. It's a bit easier to work with and super strong! I love that stuff! Seriously. If you've never used it go buy some. You need it. You just didn't know that yet. HA!



I then stitched each one onto a medium width elastic headband. You can get these in packs of six for around $3.00, making them around 50 cents each. Just make sure to stitch them so that they slightly overlap because when the headband stretches there will be gaps between them if you don't overlap them when it is lax.



And CUTENESS HAPPENS!!!! I love it! I was thinking about adding centers and I still may, I just don't know what. I wanted large clear jem stone thingies, gut I don't want it to look tacky. I thought about buttons, but that's just not calling my name. I'll think about it some more. Or I'll just leave it as-is. We shall see, my dear friends, we shall see!

So! For a grand total of $100 for fabric and the elastic headband (actually I have TONS AND TONS AND TONS of fabric left, so really even less than that) you have a super cute accessory worthy of Anthro, the Loft, Urban Outfitters, or any other super fab house of goodness!

hi.

THERE!  Did that wake you up?  HA!

So, here's the thing.  I'm super crazy tired because I kinda didn't really sleep all that great and now I just want to take a nap, but I have to do that whole work'n thing instead and that makes me sad.  Just say'n.

SO....to avoid the whole sad thing I decided to post a fun and cheery card that I created!

The cardstock, patterned papers, Thickers letter stickers, and that cute little Flair button are all from American Crafts.  'Cause I luuuuuuvvvvvvvvv  American Crafts.  Really.  I do.
AND....I also luuuuuuvvvvvv my Uniball Signo pen, which is what created that fabulous white line around the brown panel.  The PERFECT finishing touch!
The transparency is Hambly and the ribbon is just cute.  (HA!  That's my way of saying I have no clue who makes it!)

I also decided to sprinkle the rest of the answers to your fabulous questions in posts here and there since I think I pretty much bored you to death by putting a bunch of answers in ONE post, so here are a couple more....

Laura asked:  Have you ever attempted ATCs? Why or why not? Do you use glue runner and what kind?

Ummmm...That's lots of questions, Laura!  HA!  And they are all fairly easy ones to answer!  I actually LOVE to create ATC's and I usually, although not always, post them here on my blog when I create them.  I love the small canvas size and it is the perfect excuse to play with new techniques!  On the Glue Runner - I have several.  I'm an adhesive junkie.  My favorites and the ones I reach for most often are my Scotch ATG, my Tombow permanent runner, and my Glue Glider Pro.  I have several others around and a couple that I haven't actually had a chance to try yet, but I will, 'cause like I said....I'm an adhsesive junkie.  I LOVE my adhesives!!!

Tracy asked:  Out of all the different types of crafts you do what is your favorite at the moment?

DOLLS!!!  I am totally in love with doll making right now!  It is new and adventurous and I get to tell a story for each and every one that I create!  I love not being tied down to one form of art, though.  I like to jump around and experiment and have fun with lots of things!

Susie asked:  How do you come up with all your great craft ideas?

HA!  This one makes me laugh.  Susie, I honestly have no flipp'n idea!  My mind constantly moves and I do honestly believe that it moves quite differently than that of most.  I am always thinking and from those thoughts often come creative concepts.  My ideas don't always come to fruition and sometimes they are epic fails, but they are constantly streaming.  That is part of why I do so many different forms of art - one form cannot contain all of the concepts that I've got churning.  I'm fortunate enough to have an amazingly supportive Hubbums who at least tries to understand why it is that I am THIS excited about a shoe that I covered ENTIRELY with glitter!!!!  (And yes...I did do that this weekend....it's a w.i.p. but I will TOTALLY share when it is done, dudes.  Totally.)


Tina asked:  Do you ever get up to NH? I was born and raised in Manchester, my sister and dad still live there.

Well, not if I can avoid it!  HA!  (Yes, folks, that is why they call us Massholes.)  No, actually, I work about ten minutes from the border despite the fact that I live 5 minutes from the Rhode Island border.  (Are you non-New Englanders confused yet?  HA!)  My Nana and a couple of aunts and cousins all live up there in various areas including Manchester and Weare, so, yes, I do get up there from time to time.  I WISH I was going up there at the end of this month for the Creating Keepsakes Convention, but alas, *sigh*  I am not.

SOooooo....hopefully I haven't bored you to death.  I hope you have a deliciously delightful Monday!  I'm going to start mine with jelly beans.  For reals.

And....the Winner of the Chunky Bling Giveaway is.....Mer!!!! Congratulations! Please contact me with your mailing address!

Also! Check out the amazing Blog Candy HERE!!!

Dean Dyment Studio: Prepare to Travel the Windy Roads of Your Imagination *GIVEAWAY*

Do you want to know what I love about art?  I love that it takes you away.  I love that you can fall right into it and go to places you have been dreaming about.  I love that it becomes a part of you.

Lori Dean Dyment of Dean Dyment Studios is the kind of artist that makes it so easy to do just that.  I am SO excited to introduce you to her work and her shop today! 

Lori's work is a collection of original monotypes (singular prints), small editioned collographs, linocuts, drypoints and oil paintings.  She also offers some prints and pendants to make her artwork affordable and accessible to everyone.

You can see such emotion in each and every piece in Lori's shop!  Really!!!  EVERY.  SINGLE.  PIECE.  makes me FEEL.  There is just nothing better than something so beautifully created that it invokes true FEELING.  The kind that goes to your soul kind of feeling.

I also totally love that she prints tiny versions of her amazing art to work into these gorgeous Glass Art Pendants!    I mean, really!!!  Can you get any cuter than that?!  AND...you get to wear your art!  I love that.  Love.  It.

So....are you in love with this art yet?  'Cause, dude.  I totally am!  Just say'n!

AND....do you want to know the BEST part????  Lori has kindly offered to give one Just Jingle reader the AMAZING mushroom pendant shown below!!!  (Ummm...so yes, I am officially jealous!  HA!)

HOLY GORGEOUS PENDANT, BATMAN!!!!  So, you want it?  Well, here is how you can win it!


Mandatory First (or only if you want) Entry:  Visit Dean Dyment Studios and tell me your favorite piece AND why it is your favorite in a comment below.  It's okay...take your time.   You will want to just relax and enjoy all of the stunning pieces you find!

Optional Additional Entries:
1.  Follow my blog and leave an ADDITIONAL comment letting me know you follow.
2.  Become a Fan of Lori Dean Dyment AND Just Jingle on Facebook.  Leave an ADDITIONAL comment with your Facebook name.
3.  Become a Follower of Lori's Blog!  Leave an ADDITIONAL comment letting me know!
4.  Spread the word about this giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, or your own blog for TWO extra entries!  Just leave TWO ADDITIONAL comments with a link to your tweet, status, or post!  You can spread the word in any way you wish, but it will only be two more entries.

Possible number of entries:  6

This giveaway will end Sunday 18 April 2010.  Giveaway is open worldwide!
*Lori has provided the product for one reader to receive as a prize.  I have not received any compensation for this post.  I just love her stuff and want to share it with you!!!*

All She Wanted Was Rearranged Furniture.... She Meant Business

Heee!!! Isn't that just a fun title for a piece? I think so. But, for me, it's not flaky at all...it holds something deeper. Something that is actually very real.




This is my latest mixed media collage piece, "All She Wanted Was Rearranged Furniture." It is based on a chip board house. Yup. I love it. ANNNNNND....what I love even more is that I have a bunch of them so this may become a series. I'm not sure yet.




The lamp is cut from Studio Calico goodness. (Also sometimes referred to as paper. HA!) I absolutely ADORE this line from SC, but I kept looking at it without any direction, so I was THRILLED to be able to incorporate this small bit of it into this piece! Now I'm all fired up to use more of it!!!




As you can see, this is the text portion. I coated the words with Liquid Glass and I love how they look!!!! Makes me happy. Just say'n.




This is the lady of the house. Isn't she just wonderfully sophisticated? I certainly think so. You should to. Because I said so. No. Really. Trust me. I know these things. HA! She is ready to soar into her dreams with her beautiful wings!




And if those buttons don't must make you swoon, well, then I don't know if we can be friends anymore. HA!!!! Kidding.

sort of.

No, but for REALS, aren't they fabulous???? I found a wonderful little jar of vintage yellow buttons at a local antique store and I fell in LOVE! It was actually sort of hard to use them because I love them so much, but I am SOOOOO happy that I did because they look fabulous! And I still have some in the jar, so I'm not too sad. And I know the store has more in lots of colors if I just MUST go get them. You know. If I MUST. Just say'n.

I love to know what you think of these projects, so please click through and leave a comment! Thanks!!!! That makes me love you even MORE!!!

Oh...and on another note of things I am TOTALLY loving right now...Flickr + Picnik = Happy Jingle. Just say'n.

I am joining in the following parties!!!! 'Cause, dude, parties are fun!

The Crafty Table: Tag Challenge

Soooo....this was kind of super fun!

Kristen over at The Crafty Table put out a really fun tag challenge! Basically, she sent out an envelope (letter sized)with enough supplies to create a tag. You had to use at least 50% of the supplies provided and we did have the freedom to add supplies, but because I'm a glutton for a difficult challenge, I tried to use as few additional elements as possible.

I was a nit wit and totally forgot to photograph the kit she sent, though! There was a strip of realistic looking grass paper, a strip paper with green squares and white cross hatch sort of pattern (see on tag), a 4 inch or so piece of lime green fabulous grosgrain ribbon, a green button, a lizard eyelet, 2 green Prima flowers, and two cardstock tags in different green tones.

CAN I EVEN TELL YOU HOW MUCH FUN THIS WAS????

Seriously. I opened the envelope and was like. Great. Green. A color I generally don't use much. FANTASTIC! HA! And then, to boot, she made me use a realistic print (which I usually avoid) and a shaped eyelet (which I think are adorable, but generally have little success using). I loved the kit!!! I am so not even kidding! I told myself I was going to use as much as I could and add as little as possible and that is exactly what I did!



I used every element she sent!!!! I did cut the papers down to use them on the tag, but I used both cardstock tags and the patterns, as well! The only additions were the gems in the middle of the flowers because I can't leave a flower with a lonely center and the staple. I also used a pen to doodle in the flower stems! Isn't it cute? I thought it was cute. Particularly because it came from a bunch of stuff I wouldn't normally pick! The Hubbums came home just as I was finishing it and his first words were, 'That's really cute!' It's always good when you get Hubbums approval. Of course, then again, he LOVED Paperkins, so maybe I should be avoiding that opinion.....HA!!! No, I love it when he likes my stuff! It makes me happy!

I also have two dolls in the works at the moment and a few ideas floating around for a couple more, so I should have at least one completed soon to share with you! So, what do you think? Could you do a challenge like this?