Noted:

One thing about our household is the humor. You never know what you'll find on something innocent as say....the grocery list. It's a place where you might find the odd item, such as goats; to the philosophical debate, such as what came first, the chicken or the egg; to bizarre admonishments, such as not getting cow's eggs. We just keep a running list so we can add things as we run out, but that lets just anyone add their own flair of humor.

Evidence used: shiny gold, spiral punch, staples, clips, labels

Testimony is about this week's grocery lists.

Artist's Collaboration: Starting From The Same Place

I got to take part in another fun collaboration with art friends from all over the world! We were each sent identical (or nearly) packages to use to create whatever inspires us. We were to try to use at least part of everything in the packet.

Here is where I started out.

I picked up the pewter clock at a thrift store some time ago, intending to make a distressed frame. Life happened and that project got put on the back burner. When I received the packet, I pulled the clock back out and put on my thinking cap. As you can see, there is quite an eclectic assortment there!

I got out my gesso, pastes, patina, paints, and gel and set out to work. I first coated everything that I wanted to distress with black gesso, then set out with my rusting paste set to give it that really corroded, old look. I dab of blue or orange patina adds to the corrosion. I pulled the clock apart, even gutted the innards of the clock movements (so cool inside), setting aside the glass front and most of the innards. I cut down the clock face so it would fit into the back of the casing, then distressed it too. I added a silver past to the clock hands and glued them to the face, on top of one of my kit gears and a metal gear from my stash. I just kept distressing pieces and seeing where they best land and it just sort of fell together, topping it off with a photo of my hubby and I.  It was so much fun and really stretched me!

The finished piece! I seriously love it.

Here is a link to see the other projects and there are so many awesome ones!

An InLinkz Link-up

Mt Jefferson

One of the things we love to do is to go and hike this beautiful state we live in. My boss recently told me about one hike that offers spectacular views of Mt Jefferson. We've never really explored this part of the state, so we were so pleasantly surprised and hope to return for future hikes. You hike to the top of a ridge, along a most beautiful trail and are rewarded with this stunning view of the mountain. It's so close to you, you can almost feel it. There is a little side trail that leads to a cave where you can frame the mountain from inside (more on that another time). It was so unique, my mom saw my photos and begged for us to take her, so we did this hike twice in 2 weeks. Well worth is. And....come to find out, my boss had only heard of it and hasn't gone! He needs to go.

Evidence used: text print, doily, string, stripes

Testimony is documenting our pastime of going on hikes. "We love to hike this state and see the many gorgeous sites!"

Berry Picking

The gorgeous colors this week at CSI were perfect for photos I took of a berry picking session I had recently. My brother and sister-in-law have an abundance of berry plants and were begging for pickers to come and take some of the bounty. I was happy to oblige. I netted two big tubs of blueberries, a big tub of raspberries, and a few strawberries. There is nothing like fresh picked berries!

Evidence used: grid, clouds, circles, and rub-ons.

Testimony is sort of about my hometown, which is a berry growing mecca.

Seal Rock

Yay, coast colors! Not that that matters to me, but you know. More from my trip with the surfer. Whilst he surfed, we explored.

Evidence used: nautical elements, wood, vellum, mesh, twine

Testimony is about time spent at the beach

Take Me To The Lake

This day had been a super rough day. A day that I just wanted to crawl back into bed. My husband works out in his kayak on the lake after work and said to get myself ready, that he would pick me up. I just sat and read, watched the birds, listened to the clink of the sailboats. It was exactly what I needed this day.

Evidence used: map print, clouds, birds, watercolor, boat

Testimony is about my trip to the lake, "On rough days like this, there is nothing like being able to say, 'Take me to the lake!' I listened to the peace."

I Spy

You all know that I love going to the coast and my favorite thing to do there is to find fun critters in the tide pools. This week's case was perfect for that.

I love the giant anchor, by The Cut Shoppe and love the double meaning of the flair from A Flair For Buttons.

Evidence used: nautical elements, wood, animals, mesh, twine

Testimony is about spending time at the beach.
I spy with my little eye
Critters of the sea
Hiding away until low tide