I Love…Special Collection Barbie Dolls
As a youngster, I went through a very brief, late Barbie phase, but nothing too involved. I was a tomboy and avid reader at heart, and Barbie really didn’t have a place in my childhood activities. However, as an adult…I have found myself gravitating more and more towards toys and…
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs): All Things Ancient Egypt
The pyramids, hieroglyphics, mummies, thousands of ancient gods and goddesses, and of course, Cleopatra… ancient Egypt has a lot of cool things going on. I’ve always loved the history and allure of the ancient culture. The Great Pyramid of Giza is known as one of the seven wonders of the…
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Find: I Can’t Believe It’s a Sponge
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet provides shoppers with a ‘Good Stuff Cheap’ atmosphere to purchase plenty of your favorite products (and some you haven’t discovered yet) at discounted and closeout prices. I never know what I’ll find there, but usually, I leave the store with spices, coffees, and snacks I’m excited to…
Build a House Artist Trading Card (ATC) Swap – Wizard of Oz Theme
Artist trading cards (ATCs) come in all shapes and sizes, and can incorporate a variety of materials (mixed media). I tend to stick with the hand-drawn or hand-painted swaps, but sometimes, I step outside of my comfort zone and play with different collage techniques. With this art challenge, you create…
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs): Stephen King
My first introduction to Stephen King came around the age of 4 or 5. Yes, that young. I learned how to read when I was 2 ½ years old, and one of the ways I strengthened my skills was by going over the Sunday morning comics with my parents. I…
Jeanne Oliver Has Launched JO Shop for Artists
I’m not sure how I initially came across Jeanne Oliver’s site, but I signed up to become a part of an artsy community where I’d have access to online, instant art school classes (amongst other things). There are paid courses and free ones too, like how to make your own…
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs): Dolls of the World
Sometimes, artist trading cards (ATCs) do not take the shape of the usual 3 ½ x 2 ½ rectangular measurements… and you accept a challenge to follow a specific template. I’ve done egg shapes, doghouse shapes, and used a hole punch to create a stamp-like fringe on cards before. This…
Photowall’s DIY Frame Makes their Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night Canvas Print Even More Special
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh is one of my all-time favorite paintings. So, when I was offered a chance to order a canvas print or wall mural from Photowall, I knew there was a high possibility that I’d be a proud new owner of Starry Night. First thing I…
Artist Trading Cards: Unlikely Friendships
When you think of unlikely friendships, what comes to your mind? Opposites attracting? Have you ever made friends with someone that you’d never expect to get along with? I’ve become friends with some of my high school rivals later in life, and have clicked with classmates in graduate school that…
Gift Idea for a Book Lover –Book-Shaped Plates from GoneReading.com
Even though my brother says the larger plate looks like a ‘fancy ashtray,’ I know what it’s supposed to represent. The Book Shaped Plate featured above is one of three pieces that I purchased from Gone Reading, which joins a book-shaped saucer and stackable cup I ordered. Made from porcelain,…
