tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347204162024-03-08T04:19:38.442-08:00A.D.C.D.cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-20956487682105301652008-06-16T22:48:00.001-07:002008-06-16T22:52:15.211-07:00Coming out of the craft room ...I am going to just put everything on one blog. I will actually share my "art" with the people that actually know me, instead of only sharing with those that happen to stumble upon this blog. <br />Linda Woods ... you better be proud :) Now I just have to make something to share ... maybe when Katie's cast comes off I will have a moment to myself. I hear that is when the pigs are going to start flying as well, so be on the lookout for flying pork!<br /><br /><a href="http://thejaxon4.blogspot.com">My BLOG</a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-25905035719831958902008-05-15T17:03:00.000-07:002008-05-16T06:09:18.914-07:00I've been making ... stuffMy first attempt at a "taggie" type thing,<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1kPMXtYzI/AAAAAAAAAqo/psxdWfHoIaU/s1600-h/P5021658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1kPMXtYzI/AAAAAAAAAqo/psxdWfHoIaU/s320/P5021658.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200923356864275250" /></a><br />Turned one of Katie's too short jeans into a skirt.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1kPsXtY0I/AAAAAAAAAqw/H6GYYXOs2BY/s1600-h/P5031679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1kPsXtY0I/AAAAAAAAAqw/H6GYYXOs2BY/s320/P5031679.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200923365454209858" /></a><br />played with one of my many sets of drawers that I have an addiction for ... <br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1kQMXtY1I/AAAAAAAAAq4/wyX32o3VeUo/s1600-h/P5011585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1kQMXtY1I/AAAAAAAAAq4/wyX32o3VeUo/s320/P5011585.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200923374044144466" /></a><br />I was playing around with layering the background, decided to actually use it for a painting. This is still in pregress obviously.<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1gs8XtYyI/AAAAAAAAAqg/Z50Wy4xVz1U/s1600-h/P5011598.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SC1gs8XtYyI/AAAAAAAAAqg/Z50Wy4xVz1U/s320/P5011598.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200919469918872354" /></a><br />I painted this background months ago, but I am working on putting the foreground in ... <br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SCzVhMXtYwI/AAAAAAAAAqU/TfG90Dlb9K0/s1600-h/P5132062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SCzVhMXtYwI/AAAAAAAAAqU/TfG90Dlb9K0/s320/P5132062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200766435939148546" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-54841362511084301992008-04-18T23:41:00.000-07:002008-04-18T23:48:03.953-07:00Magpie<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SAmVmV6cTOI/AAAAAAAAAho/9L6ZvdRgJfo/s1600-h/P4191132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/SAmVmV6cTOI/AAAAAAAAAho/9L6ZvdRgJfo/s320/P4191132.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190844531471043810" /></a><br />Just decided to play with whatever was in reach at my desk. Started by painting the canvas black, then punched out circles from a few catalogs (DickBlick, Anthropologie, and Land of Nod). Drew some circles from a scrap of paper I had punched out the other day, which reminded me of beaded necklaces, which made me think of Magpies. The white is just layers of tissue paper put on with matte medium. Painted the magpie and glittered my beads. Oh, and the border is masking tape. <br />This is one of my favorite pieces so far. Not that I have any idea what I will do with it. May have no choice, my daughter requests everything I paint. I asked her why she wants everything I do, and her answer was simple "because I like it". I am glad that someone does :)cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-68507286406476054932008-04-16T00:47:00.000-07:002008-04-16T00:57:41.166-07:00Owning ItI have been thinking a lot lately about why I have two blogs - one for my everyday life and this one for my crafty life, and I think I have come up with an answer. I am ashamed of wanting to be artistic! How stupid is that? Okay, now the reason. My sperm-donor/father was (and as far as I know still is) an artist. I have such a loathing for this man that I have suppressed myself for YEARS! The reason I did not know what I wanted to do at college was because I did not want to say ART. My mother encouraged me in art. As hard pressed as she was to support us she let me do so much, including a watercolr class. She was proud of my artistic side ... but I was not. I still am not. I hide what I create. Even my scrapbooking stuff, hidden away. I have spent so many years pushing any tie to him away that I have buried myself. I am slowly trying to overcome that. I have posted a link to this blog on my other blog, whether or not anyone has ever followed it remains to be seen. And along the same lines I have put a link to my real-life blog here for anyone who happens by. In the huge batches of photos I send my Mom through KodakGallery I have slipped in a few paintings. I am trying to own the fact that I AM AN ARTIST ... because I want to be, and because I say so!! Still, not so deep down I am still ashamed that it is so.cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-89700810232907980422008-04-07T21:39:00.001-07:002008-04-07T21:55:59.247-07:00Playing with Paint - Again:)This is me trying to layer. I have this irrational fear of layering. I absolutely love how it looks when other people do it, but I am so afraid of covering up something halfway decent with something horrid. Anyways, best thing to do is jump right in, and do it on something cheap :) This is just one of those cheapy canvas panels from Walmart. Now if I could just figure out how to paint a nose ... among other things!<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3hUVADpI/AAAAAAAAAew/y40M9pRgEQk/s1600-h/P4050742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3hUVADpI/AAAAAAAAAew/y40M9pRgEQk/s320/P4050742.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186730072635084434" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3hkVADqI/AAAAAAAAAe4/esPRK7kzW_I/s1600-h/P4050744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3hkVADqI/AAAAAAAAAe4/esPRK7kzW_I/s320/P4050744.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186730076930051746" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3iEVADrI/AAAAAAAAAfA/AspxVUenTlM/s1600-h/P4050749.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3iEVADrI/AAAAAAAAAfA/AspxVUenTlM/s320/P4050749.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186730085519986354" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3ikVADsI/AAAAAAAAAfI/IzCB010t4pg/s1600-h/P4050750.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r3ikVADsI/AAAAAAAAAfI/IzCB010t4pg/s320/P4050750.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186730094109920962" /></a><br />And this was actually done first. Katie wanted to paint, and who can say no to that? So, she climbed up on my knee as usual and away we went. My husband may grit his teeth about our crafty projects, but who cares? I love my little artist and want to encourage her as much as I can. Who wants a life of prose when poetry is so much prettier ;)<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r6fUVADtI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/kleTaMWLce4/s1600-h/P4050740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r6fUVADtI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/kleTaMWLce4/s320/P4050740.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186733336810229458" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r6fkVADuI/AAAAAAAAAfY/nb0xkjxW-O4/s1600-h/P4050753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r6fkVADuI/AAAAAAAAAfY/nb0xkjxW-O4/s320/P4050753.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186733341105196770" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r6gEVADvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/I4BxPo3fM6w/s1600-h/P4050761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_r6gEVADvI/AAAAAAAAAfg/I4BxPo3fM6w/s320/P4050761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186733349695131378" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-19898893459159971272008-03-30T21:52:00.000-07:002008-03-30T21:59:32.970-07:00Start with a Flower<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_BvWEVADaI/AAAAAAAAAc4/-lPMMnghzKo/s1600-h/P3270620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_BvWEVADaI/AAAAAAAAAc4/-lPMMnghzKo/s320/P3270620.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183765596013071778" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_BvWkVADbI/AAAAAAAAAdA/Vr3YsRLKqHw/s1600-h/P3270622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R_BvWkVADbI/AAAAAAAAAdA/Vr3YsRLKqHw/s320/P3270622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183765604603006386" /></a><br />Okay, just cuz you say so Suzi Blu I will :) I cheated a little. I did not have an actual flower in front of me. i just thought of a flower, and pulled out some paints. I usually make everything pink, so I wanted to do something more vibrant. About two seconds after I started painting my 5 year old wanted to help me. So, I opened out my journal and let her paint on one side. She painted Scooby Doo, a heart, and a smiley face. The heart she said was for me! Awww! And of course as soon as she was done she wanted me to be done, so it is strictly a flower painting. I was wanting to experiment with layers. I have the hardest time forcing myself to cover up something else. I love the way it looks in other peoples art work, but I think mainly I just have this fear that I am going to cover up something decent with soemthing that is crap. Gotta get over that ...cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-6686943577857197162008-03-07T01:13:00.001-08:002008-03-07T01:20:53.216-08:00Lil Dancer<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIFtYoecI/AAAAAAAAAWY/aWIcXD7tGpk/s1600-h/ballerina04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIFtYoecI/AAAAAAAAAWY/aWIcXD7tGpk/s320/ballerina04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174926341000690114" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIF9YoedI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Y24gcqd5oJI/s1600-h/ballerina05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIF9YoedI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Y24gcqd5oJI/s320/ballerina05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174926345295657426" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIGNYoeeI/AAAAAAAAAWo/52wu3X3xn6U/s1600-h/ballerina01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIGNYoeeI/AAAAAAAAAWo/52wu3X3xn6U/s320/ballerina01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174926349590624738" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIGtYoefI/AAAAAAAAAWw/UiBoezavAiY/s1600-h/ballerina02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIGtYoefI/AAAAAAAAAWw/UiBoezavAiY/s320/ballerina02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174926358180559346" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIG9YoegI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Ed7v9zEyxlU/s1600-h/ballerina03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R9EIG9YoegI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Ed7v9zEyxlU/s320/ballerina03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174926362475526658" /></a><br />I think I finally finished this. I was trying to figure out what to use for the quote ... not the wording, just the lettering. Found the black letters in a box of my old high school stuff when hubby was clearing out the garage. The white rub-ons I have had for years, and I am surprised they had not dried out. Oh, and the little heart tattoo is from one of Katie's own stash of temporary tattoos. Anyways, guess it is ready for my daughters wall, if I can ever figure out where to hang it!<br />Quote is one I came up with :<br />We dance not because we can hear the music<br />We dance because we can feel the music!cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-19672635685418177022008-02-13T01:47:00.001-08:002008-02-13T02:00:06.606-08:00Martha is a BAD influence!Remind me, when I already have too much that I "should" be doing, not to pay attention to Martha!! Of course I mean Martha Stewart!! As much as I hate to admit it, that woman INSPIRES ME!! Why do I hate to admit it? I don't even know. Jealousy perhaps :) She has built an empire being CRAFTY! How awesome is that? Oh how I would absolutely love, love, love to be able to make a living being crafty. I could not be Martha though ... she has so much energy! She does more in one day than I could do in a week! I can't even keep up with the housework! Sure, I don't think that Martha is running around trying to mop her kitchen and pick up Polly Pockets, but she does so many other things!<br />... but I got off the subject.<br />Martha always inspires me to want to do something. Whether it is something she is doing on one of her shows, or if it is something that I just use as a leaping off point in my head, she makes me want to get out some craft stuff and play. I want to run to my sewing machine. I want to make candle molds! (I blame Martha for the fact I ate way too much cotton candy - it was in the perfect size plastic containers) I want to pull out paper, and glue, and paint. I want to get my hands dirty. I want to play and create until my brain is exhausted. That would not take too long considering I am half braindead from lack of sleep. <br />One of these days Martha, one of these days ...cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-49527536291001503292008-02-10T01:57:00.000-08:002008-02-10T02:06:13.561-08:00just thinkingI was blog hopping, thinking how wonderful it would be to live in all of these beautiful places that people post photos of ... when it hit me that I probably do live there! If I took the time to explore, if I took the time to really LOOK around me, then I just might live in that beautiful place. I spend so much time in the house, looking at a tv or a computer (or the huge mess that is my living room). I need to go OUT! I need to explore the areas around here. The little parks and gardens. The touristy areas of Memphis. The wonderful architecture that I am sure could be found with minimal effort just by being OUT. The gorgeous groups of plants and animals, fields and streams, PEOPLE! <br />And I think all the time as I am surfing around, reading about great finds and vintagey treasures that I should stop by my Goodwill or Salvation Army, hit some thrift stores, explore the antique/junk mall. Once a week I should make an excursion to one or more of these places. <br />Maybe if I got OUT of the house, explored the world around me. GOT MOVING! The pumping blood would kickstart my brain. Give me a creative jolt. Burning a few calories would be a good thing, too!!!<br />SO ... I am making a commitment to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!! Once a week, even if it is just to browse through a thrift store or walk around the park. And I am going to have my camera ready (not just tucked in my bag where I never pull it out to use)!! I will do this! I will learn to see the beauty that is around me, not just yearn for someone elses beauty!cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-49330847817353630822008-02-06T00:35:00.000-08:002008-02-06T00:48:56.894-08:00It was stormy ...so I turned off the computer and unplugged. Cleared out the closet under the stairs and settled in for some tense tv weather watching. We got so lucky and everything went around us. I was terrified that I would have my 5 year old and my (almost) 4 month old in a little coat closet under the stairs. Instead I got to play with crayons and paper and gel pens, OH MY :)<br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R6l0XOdWfZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ZzwVJCUOaxM/s1600-h/familybirds1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R6l0XOdWfZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/ZzwVJCUOaxM/s320/familybirds1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163786390124002706" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R6l0ZOdWfaI/AAAAAAAAAQM/0jHm0R6xhpQ/s1600-h/heart1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R6l0ZOdWfaI/AAAAAAAAAQM/0jHm0R6xhpQ/s320/heart1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163786424483741090" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-70429269340811226712008-02-05T10:30:00.000-08:002008-02-05T10:33:44.606-08:00my first lady<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R6ir8edWfXI/AAAAAAAAAP0/dc4TfaSrXAw/s1600-h/ladylove.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R6ir8edWfXI/AAAAAAAAAP0/dc4TfaSrXAw/s320/ladylove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163566028236946802" /></a><br />I was surfing through blogland last night and got the sudden urge to paint ... which is how it always seems to happen. For some reason I enjoy painting by "blog light". This is how my little lady ended up looking in paint. Well, most of her. My scanner could not fit the whole thing and then I decided to play with my frames. I will edit later with a full pic of this little miss.cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-69159363715025094532008-01-25T19:22:00.000-08:002008-01-25T19:36:24.400-08:00Playing with the GirlsThese are just a couple little drawings I played with while sitting at the computer. I was thinking of doing one for each holiday. I would do them in something other than a No. 2 and Crayons ... but you get the idea. And of course, my Katie girl had to get in on the act. She has a different vision for her girls, apparently she thinks we should make zombies with green teeth. Who am I to say no?<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5qqdudWfOI/AAAAAAAAAOs/c13qoDu80qc/s1600-h/Independence1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5qqdudWfOI/AAAAAAAAAOs/c13qoDu80qc/s320/Independence1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159623750770392290" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5qqd-dWfPI/AAAAAAAAAO0/RR_jaEKzYSU/s1600-h/LadyLove1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5qqd-dWfPI/AAAAAAAAAO0/RR_jaEKzYSU/s320/LadyLove1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159623755065359602" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5qqeedWfQI/AAAAAAAAAO8/zh5XjMxte0Q/s1600-h/katiesgirl01-24-08a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5qqeedWfQI/AAAAAAAAAO8/zh5XjMxte0Q/s320/katiesgirl01-24-08a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159623763655294210" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-72296462472891687832008-01-22T17:50:00.000-08:002008-01-22T18:02:49.353-08:00Word Up #18 : Still<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5agOudWfKI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ZuPnnO7wlm4/s1600-h/OLW+Still.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R5agOudWfKI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ZuPnnO7wlm4/s320/OLW+Still.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158486598049234082" /></a><br /><br />Word #18 is <a href="http://onelittleword.typepad.com/olw/2008/01/word-up-18-stil.html">STILL</a> . And, instead of just planning to do this challenge, I decided to do it right away. I grabbed what I had on my desk and around it for this page. Okay, so the fact that I have my easel right next to the desk helps with the paint, but other than cardstock I did not have any papers to use. So, this layout consists of :<br />Plaid "Apple Barrel" acrylic paint<br />Art Studio by Battat watercolor and acrylic paints<br />Sharpie marker<br />Crayola crayons<br />Glue Stick<br />The Paper Company cardstock<br />File Folder (for backing)<br />After painting the background the paper was wonky, so I used an old file folder to straighten it out.<br /><br />The word "still" made me think of a few different things. The word was supposed to be meant as "still" in the since of time ... not as in standing still (though I am sure it would not have mattered if I chose to use it that way). I first was thinking that I still love to get messy, painting and crafting. So, I started slapping some paint down, and when I painted the heart I thought about my family. I thought about how it still amazes me that everyday I can love them even more. Each little thing they do endears them to me. My daughter dancing and singing along to YouTube videos of her favorite songs. Her little feet pressed up against the shower door. My husband snuggling our son. My daughter and son together. Watching Katie do her own crafts. And the pic of her in my sons bassinet reminded me that she is still my baby. Be still my heart? NEVER! Grow and grow!!!cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-72661442632684336892008-01-09T02:15:00.000-08:002008-01-09T02:28:56.504-08:00Stealing InspirationOne of the bloggers that I absolutely love and have to stop by everyday is <a href="http://suziblu.blogspot.com">Suzi Blu</a>. Well, about a week ago she had a <a href="http://suziblu.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-me-love-me-not.html">post about a new painting</a> she had put up on eBay, and it is gorgeous! So I rushed right over to that eBay link ... but there is no way I can even enter into a bidding war on her piece. I would LOVE to buy some original art. I have NO art on my walls. I have two mass produced sepia-toned shots of flowers in the living room, and while they do seem to be my 2 month olds favorite thing in the world, I don't think they qualify as art. Also, my daughter is a little green-eyed blond with a penchant for dressing in black to dance and sing (<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=bqpA5Acc8-c">Ali and AJ style</a>). So, hopefully Suzi Blu will not mind that I am ripping her off. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?? In this case it really is! Anyways, this is what I have so far for my daughters wall. It is 14x22<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4ShuH0lgNI/AAAAAAAAAM8/bv8cQOe9Ayk/s1600-h/ballet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4ShuH0lgNI/AAAAAAAAAM8/bv8cQOe9Ayk/s320/ballet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153421687364354258" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4Shun0lgOI/AAAAAAAAANE/ocPGU7u4F9o/s1600-h/balletface.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4Shun0lgOI/AAAAAAAAANE/ocPGU7u4F9o/s320/balletface.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153421695954288866" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4Shu30lgPI/AAAAAAAAANM/D68NCfwn8fE/s1600-h/balletlegs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4Shu30lgPI/AAAAAAAAANM/D68NCfwn8fE/s320/balletlegs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153421700249256178" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-70429907104139905452008-01-05T15:38:00.000-08:002008-01-06T00:04:04.031-08:00BE complete<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4AWBH0lgMI/AAAAAAAAAM0/temQPW-A5_s/s1600-h/P1058430.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R4AWBH0lgMI/AAAAAAAAAM0/temQPW-A5_s/s320/P1058430.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152142182247137474" /></a><br />Decided to use this very first canvas to do my one word for Ali. And then my daughter decided that she wants it. Is there anything that makes you feel good like a five year olds praise??? I could just glow with how much she loves this. Sure, she is no art critic (thank goodness) but she is my love and her opinion is so much more important!! Now if I could just be sure that she won't try to paint/draw over it!! Might be an improvement ;)cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-36854720626549638122008-01-04T01:15:00.000-08:002008-01-04T01:26:56.130-08:00PlayingI was surfing through crafty blogs and got a sudden bug up my butt to play with some paint. I have been spending a lot of time at <a href="http://donnadowney.typepad.com">Donna Downey's blog</a> , <a href="http://pauletteinsall.typepad.com">Paulette Insall's blog</a> , and just stumbled onto the <a href="http://visualchronicles.typepad.com">Journal Revolution blog</a>. I have been all over the web. Jumping from one blog to another. I just LOVE when people include a list of blogs they like!! Anyway, I decided to bust out some of the stuff that came with my new easel. So, I popped the top on some watercolors and acrylics and played. Learned something right away. When I finished my watercolor background I wanted to have some lighter spots, so I dribbled some water on the canvas and then lay a Bounty papertowel over it to absorb the excess ... made a really cool pattern! Oh, and I also learned that I have A LOT TO LEARN!! I am not exactly the most accomplished artist out there ... I just hope I am not the worst!!<br />Here is what I have so far :<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R337kn0lgKI/AAAAAAAAAMk/GzCFH8VnczM/s1600-h/P1048407.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R337kn0lgKI/AAAAAAAAAMk/GzCFH8VnczM/s320/P1048407.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151550155365122210" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R337lH0lgLI/AAAAAAAAAMs/R-ujwswMRrk/s1600-h/P1048409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R337lH0lgLI/AAAAAAAAAMs/R-ujwswMRrk/s320/P1048409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151550163955056818" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-54764978098133924542008-01-02T21:35:00.001-08:002008-01-02T21:36:29.674-08:00Lesson Learned<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R3x0P30lgJI/AAAAAAAAAMc/YXX93GRejyU/s1600-h/lessonlearned.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R3x0P30lgJI/AAAAAAAAAMc/YXX93GRejyU/s400/lessonlearned.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151119889836376210" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-87160295391664157672007-12-31T16:58:00.000-08:002007-12-31T16:59:55.137-08:00BE ...<a href="http://aliedwards.typepad.com/">Ali Edwards</a> has issued her one word challenge again. Last year I thought about it, and then got pregnant and my brain dried up into a little crusty raisin. And, if you did not already know this, raisins are not crafty. Raisins have not one artistic inclination. So, needless to say, my one word did not go anywhere. I am not even sure what it was. I might have blogged about it, but I can't remember.<br />Anyways, this year my word is BE!<br />There are so many things that I want to be, and there are a ton of things that I need to be.One of the big things that I have realized that I need to be is an adult. You would think that by the age of 30 I would have figured this out, but I look around my house and know that I have not. An adult could not live in this mess!! An adult would know how to make a five year old listen to her (at least part of the time). I need to not be my daughters playmate. I need to be her mother. Mothers can play, but mothers do so much more.<br />Another thing I want is to be creative. I want to be able to take the time to create whatever my version of art may be for that day. I have been really inspired by art journals and mixed media artists. My sweetie hubby just bought me an easel for Christmas. Maybe it will actually get used.<br />And, to be horribly cheesey ...I want to BE all that I can BE!!<br />I don't want to just sit on my tush while life whirls by me.<br />I want to be part of this world.<br />I want to be part of life.<br />I want to be someone that other people want to know.cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-92144750111849866632007-12-29T21:51:00.000-08:002007-12-29T21:57:55.373-08:00Christmas Canvas - in progressAs usual I start things at the last minute. We were supposed to head out of town Sunday, so I for some reason decided to start this on Saturday. We ended up staying until Monday, so I did the beading on the tree Sunday night. Now I just meed to find the time and energy to play some more.<br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R3cyxH0lgFI/AAAAAAAAAL8/bVn5iafnFYY/s1600-h/PC248078.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R3cyxH0lgFI/AAAAAAAAAL8/bVn5iafnFYY/s320/PC248078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149640518416040018" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R3cyxn0lgGI/AAAAAAAAAME/tJWNcZBU8NA/s1600-h/PC248079.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/R3cyxn0lgGI/AAAAAAAAAME/tJWNcZBU8NA/s320/PC248079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149640527005974626" /></a><br />This is just one of those cheapy canvases on a board things you can get at WalMart. I had one upstairs that Katie and I had played with at one time (should have taken a pic of the before, huh). Good thing about it is that you can use a thumbtack to punch holes through to string the wire for the beads. Lots of stitching happening on this one I think .. I have this inability to trust adhesive. Strange ...cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-82979754984710027252007-12-10T22:53:00.000-08:002007-12-10T22:59:36.458-08:00Creative HiatusAnd who knows when I will be back. I did complete a page last week, but it had taken me weeks to do. I just can't seem to grab more than a few moments in my room. I walk in, glue something down, or pull something out to use...and then I have to walk out.The glue dries, I get a fresh perspective on the new pieces ... but it really is not conducive to creating. At least not for me. <br />My scrapjournal did not make it this year. Pregnancy kicked my creative butt. I did nothing while I was creating life. Hopefully now that I have my wee man on the outside I will be able to think creatively. Though right now my mind is pretty braindead. Does not help that "my room" is so full of random crap from around the house that I can't even walk in to it. The crib is still in a box and taking up the tiny bit of space that was in my room. Poor little tiny cave. Guess I should be thankful that I have any space to call my own ...cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-66223594114274553372007-02-26T18:06:00.000-08:002007-02-26T18:12:00.126-08:00Actual creating ...<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/ReOTXaYDlEI/AAAAAAAAACE/Jwf-GikCaHk/s1600-h/LOVE2007.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/ReOTXaYDlEI/AAAAAAAAACE/Jwf-GikCaHk/s320/LOVE2007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036030838756840514" /></a><br />Taking a page from Elsie ... to just scrap it. Use your instincts and get it on paper. Don't agonize over everything ... DON"T STRESS! She seems like such an instinctual scrapper. Her pages have this thrown together look. And she is so brilliant that they look FAB! I'm no Elsie, but I do like my page. Too bad I still can't stitch my scans together too well ;)cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-22989553046190545202007-02-23T18:24:00.000-08:002007-02-26T18:14:33.458-08:00Everybody is ...PREGNANT! Well, everybody but me. Atleast that is how I feel right now. I am excited for all those who ARE pregnant, really I am ... but at the same time I am horribly jealous. Not a very good confession, but so true. It is horrible of me, but I can't help it. It is just really starting to get to me that we haven't even started on number two ... and Katie will be 5 in May!! So much for having them 2 years apart, tops 3. I think Chip is caving in a bit ... but who knows how long that will last. <br />And, I got Katie to the babysitters tonight. Rushed home and jumped in the shower. I was thinking about heading out to hear one of the bands that played the casino before, but then it hit me ... I am SO not walking into a bar by myself! Just not something I can do. If I was meeting friends there, sure ... but to just walk in and be a wallflower ... not on your life. They are playing tomorrow night, too. Gonna have to see if Jada can keep Katie one more night so Chip and I can go out! <br />So, I thought I could have some time to create, but of course I ended up on the computer. I am printing out some pics to scrap with, but no actual creating. And now it is timef or a nap before work. Since I'm not rocking out with Triggerproof then I might as well get some Z's.<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/Rd-mzKYDlBI/AAAAAAAAABg/saQR1DJI09Y/s1600-h/me2+207.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/Rd-mzKYDlBI/AAAAAAAAABg/saQR1DJI09Y/s320/me2+207.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034926306312295442" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/Rd-mzqYDlCI/AAAAAAAAABo/zVfbvCHV3k0/s1600-h/02-23-2007+219.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/Rd-mzqYDlCI/AAAAAAAAABo/zVfbvCHV3k0/s320/02-23-2007+219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034926314902230050" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/Rd-mz6YDlDI/AAAAAAAAABw/N0bCIMA03Q0/s1600-h/pattyhat2+207.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/Rd-mz6YDlDI/AAAAAAAAABw/N0bCIMA03Q0/s320/pattyhat2+207.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034926319197197362" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-77294643664122384242007-02-13T18:29:00.000-08:002007-02-13T18:41:42.569-08:00Feeling, well BLAH ...I have been feeling just yucky for the past couple of weeks. And it just doesn't seem to get better. Maybe not having a moment to myself is taking its toll on me. I haven't been in my "cave" in forever. i got about an hour in there a week ago, and did a few pages in my scrapjournal ... but I am so far behind that I am just fighting not to give up. I really loved how the last one turned out. I have been thinking about looking into trademarking the term "scrapjournal" and trying to come up with a way to market it. I was thinking I could make up a few of them and send them to a couple of the pros who have a "daily life" kinda style. I just really love my scrapjournal, can you tell. i love being able to flip through a totally completed album of last year, and relive the events. And "IF" I ever make it back into the cave for some actual creating then I have all kinds of journal prompts ready to go. Much less chance of forgetting details. I am still keeping up with my artjournal, though it is more journal than art. I just feel like I am getting nothing accomplished ... other than existing. Gotta CREATE something ... and I mean SOON!<br />Here are some pics of my angel bunny from the past few days ... wish I had time to scrap 'em!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2mmkf8PI/AAAAAAAAAAw/LbKisD_4HPA/s1600-h/02-12-2007+145.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2mmkf8PI/AAAAAAAAAAw/LbKisD_4HPA/s320/02-12-2007+145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031214139287007474" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2nGkf8QI/AAAAAAAAAA4/PeB4fZK_7gA/s1600-h/02-12-2007+148z.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2nGkf8QI/AAAAAAAAAA4/PeB4fZK_7gA/s320/02-12-2007+148z.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031214147876942082" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2nWkf8RI/AAAAAAAAABA/iIhytFYtMgU/s1600-h/02-12-2007+107.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2nWkf8RI/AAAAAAAAABA/iIhytFYtMgU/s320/02-12-2007+107.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031214152171909394" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2n2kf8SI/AAAAAAAAABI/Vj-QSnU7Gbc/s1600-h/02-12-2007+108.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdJ2n2kf8SI/AAAAAAAAABI/Vj-QSnU7Gbc/s320/02-12-2007+108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031214160761844002" /></a>cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-26783534705342825842007-02-12T21:35:00.000-08:002007-02-13T17:36:51.736-08:00My Creative Manifesto<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdFOb2kf8OI/AAAAAAAAAAk/DPg9pc7Fz0k/s1600-h/manifesto.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_tUsj_OjSUdA/RdFOb2kf8OI/AAAAAAAAAAk/DPg9pc7Fz0k/s320/manifesto.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030888499161592034" /></a><br />My Creative Manifesto ... my answer to Ali's Weekly Challenge .... I would explain more, but the hubby is wanting to watch a movie ...<br /><br />edited to add my words, in case you can't read them in the picture :)<br /><br />My Creative Manifesto:<br />- just PLAY, don't Stress Out!<br />- it is the quality of creative time, not the quantity ... but quantity would be nice, too :)<br />- mistakes happen, use them to make something beautiful<br />- be inspired by life<br />- no one will ask to see your work. If you want someone to see it ... then show it to them! (come out of your craft closet)cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34720416.post-52366575347091263562007-01-05T09:44:00.000-08:002007-01-05T09:53:42.478-08:00New YearGuess it is time for a new me ... or to discover the old me. The one that existed before I was a wife, before I was a mother. The one that is inherently me, and that has been missing for so long. I have spent the past half year, journaling and trying to look inside myself to figure out who exactly I have become. Not sure I even like what I have seen. There are things about myself that I don't like, but can't change. Seriously, you would think that you could change things about yourself, but how do you change your first reactions? That first thought that leaps into your head in any given situation. You can control it, and you can repress it, but you can't change it. I am struggling with the idea that it is enough to deny my instincts in certain matters. I am struggling with the desire to be a good girl, a good wife, and a good mother. All of which are intertwined with each other. And I am especially struggling with the need to be a woman!! To be ME! <br />So, what does that have to do with my "scrapcave"? Maybe that I haven't been in it in a while. Mom was in town, and since it is also the guest room I couldn't really take time to play. I have some ideas in my head. I printed out the start of my Scrapjournal for this year. I need to finish off the last few pages of last year. This fulltime thing is kicking my tush, and leaving me no time for myself. Thank goodness for journals! I have a couple going now. My big journal, my collagey journal, and a new little one of conversations and thoughts I will never share. Once again, we are onto the idea that there are things about myself that are repressed... for good reason :)cjaxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05754248506849051173noreply@blogger.com0