Annluise - illicitly beautiful!

in the garden

2011-08-18T15:19:00.002+02:00

Right now, my moms garden is just beautiful! We visited my parents yesterday and I took some pictures whilst many little

insects, beetles and bees hummed and buzzed around me. These are the last days for the bumblebees.

Gallery of Amazing Pieces

2011-08-13T10:21:00.002+02:00

I opened my second gallery in the side bar. It´s called Amazing Pieces. Here you can behold the collages I made lately, my acryl paintings, embroidery art and cigar box lid collages. A mixture of fine things to decorate a life with. Come in!

This moment

2011-08-12T16:30:00.004+02:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Find more at Soulemama´s blog.

Red and white mushroom

2011-08-08T18:20:00.007+02:00

I love mushrooms specially the red, white dotted fly agaric. Therefor it was wonderful to find the graphic below at The Graphics Fairy´s blog. I kept it for a while since I was afraid to spoil it.

Finally I found the lid of an old cigar box with the word NATURANA written on it. Just perfect for a mushroomy collage.

purse art

2011-08-04T12:35:00.003+02:00

my creative space on thursday -

for some reason I really open up for collage art right now - I can even write: I go off in it.

Yesterday I started a new series which I called "Purse Art". Little pieces of collage art you can carry with you in your purse - one could open up ones little "gallery to go", one would have the possibility for contemplation in art at what ever place, one could have always a little spontaneous gift in ones pocket - ah, I just like the idea. And I love the joy I feel making these little collages out of vintage papers, books and magazines.

Find more creative spaces over here.

Washed Ashore 2011

2011-07-28T12:42:00.004+02:00

my creative space ... during vacation time ...

... was the beach in many different aspects: for contemplation as well as for feeling good and go surfing, also to collect little plastic parts like I always do ... sad enough our beaches look like this and remind us of the great plastic garbage patchs floating in our oceans (find here a video) ... this time I even felt bad just to take what I could use for my washed-ashore-jewelry therefor I picked up some kilograms of plastic and threw it into the trash bins of our campground.

Of course I went through them first to find the pieces I can recycle. Now it´s time to turn the plastic trash into beautiful charms.

I can´t wait till the craft book will be published here in september with my washed ashore jewelry tutorial in it. It would be great to meet many plastic-trash-beachcomber next summer.

This is again a great possibility to remind of the wonderful "Washed Ashore Project" in Bandon/Oregon we visited last summer. Find the post about it here.

And since it is thursday hop over here to find more creative spaces.

first pieces after traveling

2011-07-27T08:11:00.000+02:00

My head is full with new ideas. Since we travelled 3 weeks France and the atlantic coast those ideas have a lot to do with the ocean or vintage french style. But sitting the first time in my creative space again I made these collages from old children books and vintage magazines. It was so much fun and here are more.

back home

2011-07-26T16:42:00.005+02:00

Our vacation time is over, we are back home.

We spent some wonderful weeks in the southwest of France.

Always great to be there - the ocean, the surf, the beaches, the food, the french villages, Biarritz - that beauty, the birds in the tree over our tent - we will come back. (There are more pictures here, here and here - if you feel like it.)

2011-06-26T22:05:00.001+02:00

Summer Vacation Till The 23rd Of July!

Have A Beautiful Time!

This Moment

2011-06-24T15:02:00.003+02:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Find more here.

My creative space on thursday

2011-06-23T08:54:00.005+02:00

Since there is a holiday today we will have a pique-nique with some friends in the garden. But before we leave and while I am making grilled vegetables I thought I should show the finished shadow box worlds #2, the one I started last thursday.

And there is an arty fairy tale shadow case for children which I made also during the past week - 28 little shelfs each telling many little or even big stories - a beautiful and colorful piece to hang at the wall nest to the child´s bed.

By the way: Do you want to know my special own recipe for oven grilled vegetables?

Here it is:

* cut carrots, green and yellow peppers, zucchinis, fresh garlic, fennel in slices or chunks and place them in a flat casserole

* sprinkle everything with a rich amount of olive oil

* spread grounded black and red pepper, salt, grounded cardamom, juniper and pimento berries and sesame seeds over it

* put it in the oven (200 degrees Celsius or 390 degrees Fahrenheit) till it looks deliciously soft

* eat it warm or cold with some bread or with what ever you like.

Find more creative spaces here or even play along with us.

ocean glass

2011-06-22T07:32:00.002+02:00

Two days ago I gave my shop a little update. It´s about beautiful ocean glass or sea glass. Just 6 more nights and we will be back at the atlantic coast. We all are looking forward.

It is always a little bit like finding a treasure when I see a beautiful piece. Specially the ones with something "written" on it are just wonderful. I used those for this bracelet.

my creative space on thursday

2011-06-16T08:07:00.002+02:00

Today I won´t have a lot of time to spend in my creative space. During day time I will correct the proofs of an event magazine and in the evening I have to decide on the winner of a children literature contest - I am honored being asked but I also feel a big responsibility and sobriety for it - I know about hopes and expectations specially when one is a kid.

Yesterday I started my second shadow case "worlds #2" (this is #1).

It´s a great process. First I had to decide wether I take the box vertical or horizontal. Afterwards I spent some good times to find the little things which will be part of the worlds. They kind of had to "talk" to me. But the last word is not spoken yet (as we say in Germany). I am sure the choice will change within the further process.

On the last flea market I found these nature magazines from the year 1954. I will use them to find my backgrounds for each little shelf - finally the combinations of the pictures or some words and the little figurines or toys or things will tell the stories I want to tell.

During my full day I will find minutes and times to work on it. All together the whole piece will take about 7 to 8 hours. Wonderful hours - I have to admit, ;-).

Find more creative spaces here.

Fortuitous event

2011-05-23T18:04:00.002+02:00

By coincidence it happens in our apartment that different things come somehow together - I find them on the streets or on flea markets, the kids bring them home or somebody else. Usually I put those tiny things somewhere. And after some weeks a new fortuitous event is set up.

When people visit us they either say "wow, you have a lot of stuff" or "there are so many wonderful things to discover here". Sure, I like the second better. But for both opinions I had an idea.

I created a "fortuitous event" to take home and hang at the wall.

I used an old little drawer and filled it with a melange of things. Those things won´t fall out since I clued them with a strong clue.

It was so much fun making it. And the one below won´t be the last one.

forgotten stories

2011-05-20T14:36:00.003+02:00

I found a box on the flea market with the whole life of a family in it. Letters and postcards from 40 years tell their story. 1925 - 1965. A childhood , a marriage, a war, two kids, friends and family in England and Australia in the 50th and 60th. I had tears in my eyes reading it.

I made one of my shadow boxes. It´s called "Longing and past". It is a tribute to a forgotten time and a forgotten way to keep contact - written letters and mail.

this moment

2011-05-20T14:31:00.002+02:00

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Find more here.

my creative space

2011-05-19T15:32:00.003+02:00

I really nice friend sent me some beads and asked if I could make her a necklace. A real challenge I liked.

I liked the colors - a romantic scheme. But my friend isn´t the romantic type of a woman. She is more sportive and elegant.

Some of the beads had some scratches - not the vintage ones but the bad ones and I tried to cover those by beading around. I also knew that my friend does not like it "too big". A beaded bead is always big.

I ended up mixing wire works and bead works. And I hope she will like it. (It´s not done yet.)

Find more creative spaces on thursday over here.

little gallery

2011-05-17T12:35:00.004+02:00

On my german blog Rauschmittel I opened a little gallery with a range of my shadow boxes: The "Galerie der Kessen Kästen". It is in german - but maybe you understand my little worlds anyway. Just give it a try.

The one below for example it´s called "Magic Woman" in the sense of "dream woman". She is "ideal for night and day" and "everywhere known - everywhere admired". (I find those words and phrases as well as the pictures in vintage magazines from the 1950th and 1960th. It is so much fun to work and twist their original meanings.)

If you are also familiar with greece mythology (the story of Zeus, the bull, and Leda, the swan) then you might laugh or smile about my little box.

Projects for a book

2011-05-05T08:02:00.002+02:00

My creative space -

These are busy times right now and sometimes I get lost in all those things i have to do (actually i am blessed to be able to do all those things, ;-)).

In between I take my time to create, to prepare, take pictures of them and describe five projects I am doing for a book which is called "Creatissimo" and which will be published in september. I am a little proud they asked me to join in.

find more creative spaces here.

This Moment

2011-04-29T16:17:00.003+02:00

find more moments on SouleMama´s blog

Happy Easter Time!

2011-04-16T10:46:00.002+02:00

We will be gone for the next week!

I wish us all a wonderful, happy and peaceful easter time with our families, sunshine and a lot of easter eggs hidden in romantic places!

pictures via Nicole Park, Frederique Morell and Dottie Angel

This Moment

2011-04-15T16:18:00.003+02:00

more moments here

This Moment

2011-04-08T18:09:00.002+02:00

more moments here

Miracle Box

2011-04-07T15:33:00.002+02:00

my creative space -

since we are invited for cake&coffee at my sisters place later this afternoon I made a gift for her - a "Wunder Kiste" (miracle box).

We had those empty wooden boxes at home. I sanded one and painted the inside.

For the lid a made a collage with illustrations from vintage magazines. I downloaded the font "Fraktura" and wrote the words, printed and cut and clued them on top of the collage.

Whilst being wet the whole thing looked all crinkled and had some bubbles. With a needle I made tiny holes in those air bubbles. After drying the collage is all flat and neat now.

I hot glued some vintage ribbon at the sides. It gives a little bit the impression of being the tape that holds the picture in place.

In the end I filled the box with beads and buttons and other treasures.

Find more cerative spaces here.

Small talk

2011-04-04T16:55:00.002+02:00

I had fun making some shadow cases today. It is always a special moment when an idea just pops up.

There was a big flea market in town two days ago and I was lucky to find some of these little figures and pieces I use for my boxes. By coincidence I bought a few dogs and Karen posted the silhouette of a dachshund. The circle of (dog) friends was perfect and of course they meet at a special place (I found it in my son´s room, a piece that came the other day as a funny give away with a boys magazine, ;-). The words "small talk" made the whole thing just perfect. I love the meaning beyond.

There is also that sparrow theme going on in my mind since I painted these. So I was happy to find those two cute little lady birds.

The meaning of the red word (Träumerei) is "reverie".

Easter time is coming soon - so I made a "bunny parade"- box. The equivocalness of it makes me smile.

I store and present my boxes in a drawer which I hang onto the wall and which i can use also as a display at markets.

Something for him

2011-03-31T16:48:00.005+02:00

My creative space at thursday -

very often handmade markets are not such a big thing for men. No wonder. The offer of goods is much bigger for princesses and queens.

Once a man asked me, why I wouldn´t make anything for him. And I couldn´t answer since I actually never thought about it. But there are plenty of guys which are interested in handmade stuff.

For the next market I want to be prepared for the male visitor.

By the way: "Hahn" means rooster or cock and "Stolz" means pride - a wonderful word pair for cufflinks, don´t you think, ;-).

Find more creative spaces here.

Amorous Chickadees

2011-03-28T10:54:00.005+02:00

Once again i discovered my joy to get lost in painting birds. On Karen´s blog i found these amazingly beautiful birds on branch and the two amorous chickadees where just too cute to not get painted. I did that on a tree grate with acrylic paint.

After painting i couldn´t resist to give the whole thing a little more "kitschyness". With tiny nails i pined some sequins and flowers on to the wood.

Finally i hot glued a vintage ribbon around the romantic scenery.

If you like to show your paintings or see some more from other people jump over here.

This Moment

2011-03-25T18:01:00.003+01:00

The friday ritual from soulemama.

crochet basket

2011-03-24T14:42:00.003+01:00

my creative space -

I had the idea to crochet a little basket - easter basket I thought.

Therefor I tore fabrics in strips and used a big hook to crochet something I thought could make a basket. In the end i wasn´t sure about the result.

But when my daughter found it she was all exited about it and wants me now to make her one or, even better, to show her how to make one herself. She is such a good girl, ;-).

More creative spaces here on Kirsty´s blog kootoyoo.

The 1920 Circus Parade

2011-03-20T17:04:00.002+01:00

On Karen´s blog I found this wonderful Circus Parade from 1920. Two of these funny guys just warmed my heart: Mr. Bear and the Cheeky Monkey in his costume. And I selected them to be templates for something I tried for the very first time: embroidery. I made it freehand since I didn´t know how to copy the templates on the fibre. It was a lot of fun and it won´t be the last time.

Memories

2011-03-18T16:04:00.003+01:00

If i would have to choose three things from my apartment (which also would mean: from my past and current life) three things i could keep (and all the others would be lost somehow) - what would i choose?

I really don´t know.

Sometimes i think it is really sad not to have any pictures and photos from the past. i know some people which don´t even own a single photo of themself when they where children.

I often go through my albums to take a trip down in memory lane. Unimaginable for me not to be able to do so.

The photographer Irina Werning started a nice project: Back to the future. She took portraits using old photos from the person´s albums as templates.

The second series will be shown in june.

vintage women

2011-03-17T10:01:00.002+01:00

my creative space -

I play around with vintage magazines, little tags and Diamond Glue. I don´t know yet what I will come out with in the end - maybe a necklace or a bracelet. But I really like these retro illustrations of women (those on the pictures are all cut from advertisings for a more female bust).

Find more creative spaces here.

Artful Help

2011-03-16T11:12:00.005+01:00

I once postet about her wonderful plates - artist Diem Chau from Seattle.

Today I want to show you another kind of art she creates: beautiful carved crayons.

Shocked of what just happens in Japan she started a dedicated heart driven project to help people there. For just 10 Dollar you can buy a ticket and win a crayon carved family portrait by Diem Chau. All the money she will collect this way she will donate to the Japanese Red Cross. Just hop over to her blog to participate..

Dreamy Escape

2011-03-15T18:39:00.003+01:00

Once in a while I need more time to dream, more time to fly, more time to sleep, more time to be in nature, more time to be with myself, more time to feel cosy ... more time to escape. Where would you go?

Sometimes it would be just great to have a place like this. Did I just wrote sometimes?

This wonderful picture was taken a while ago from Danish photographer Ditte Isager for Bloomingdales. Please visit her beautiful website.

Cuddly Sparrows

2011-03-13T15:32:00.003+01:00

When I was about 9 years old we reared a little sparrow. We called him Hansi and he lived for about a year in our apartment - free and loud like a little king.

No wonder that I fell immediately in love with a wonderful old post card the Graphics Fairy posted once.

I printed it and had the idea to use it as a reference for a painting.

In our basement I found a really old wooden part of an antique cabinet. This one I used instead of a canvas. Since the old varnish is broken and tends to fall off I sprayed some clear lacquer over it.

There is a hook attached to the backside so one can hang it at the wall.

Annex march the 19th: since Annabelle invited me I joined with my sparrows paint party friday today.

This Moment

2011-03-11T18:04:00.002+01:00

A friday ritual initiated by soulemama.

Inspire Me!-Ornament - Tutorial

2011-03-10T13:45:00.007+01:00

my creative space -

today I found something I could make staying in bed (since I am sick, ;-().

Once I bought this tool to cut circles. I used it for thin fibre but the result wasn´t really pleasable. Today I used it to cut a french living magazine I kept for a long time - maybe for a day like today. I also cut circles from a really old book nobody ever wants to read again (since it is just too kitschy).

I folded each circle in half.

Then I clued 3 circles from the magazine and 3 circles from the book together.

This way I´ve got beautiful balls.

Together with some crochet and beads I made some ornaments out of them. They could be easter ornaments. To me, they are poetic Inspire Me! - Ornaments

Find more creative spaces on Kirsty´y blog.

Amazing Chickadee

2011-03-06T15:08:00.005+01:00

Karen the Graphic Fairy posted this funny chickadee postcard which inspired me to make one of my shadow boxes for it.

I had some photoshop-work to do - cutting out the bird and change a little bit contrast, hue and saturation.

Then I printed the chickadee on 30 years old school paper and 90 years old fairy tale book pages. The paper had just the perfect color for the genuine vintage look of the image.

In my treasure box I found this really really old crochet rooster. It has such a funny expression (and it even can peck since the body can move around these wire legs) - and was just perfect to be the amazed admirer.

There was also a couple of ducks showing up.

Cute and Easy - Crochet Bags

2011-03-05T14:52:00.004+01:00

It is really interesting how I am aware of things surrounding me when I am in special situations.

(I remember everybody being pregnant when I was it or that many people would use crutches when my daughter had to use those too. Just to give some examples. I am sure you all know that.)

I am still playing around with the "rainbow" yarn, crocheting little bags and brooches - and there I find a really cute tutorial for easy crochet bags in wonderful colors on Ingrid´s Blog "ingthings - brighten up my day". They are just too lovely.

Some things just make you go on and on and on.

(I can´t even imagine anymore to sit in front of the television and not to make something with my hands.)

This moment

2011-03-04T13:57:00.002+01:00

More moments here on SouleMama´s blog.

Cute Little Crochet Brooches

2011-03-03T18:00:00.002+01:00

my creative space on thursday -

I crocheted some of those little rings. They remind me of tiny summer blossoms.

First I wanted to make a necklace out of them. And then one of these colorful flowers fell onto my shirt. It looked so nice and special. Therefor, I decided to make some little cute bonbon like brooches instead.

Some more creative spaces here.

Need A Ride?

2011-03-02T18:18:00.005+01:00

Shadow Box Tutorial -

My personal Me deeply believes in romantic - and images like the prince is riding his white horse hurrying to save me from whatsoever run through my heart once in a while. Of course I am aware that there are not enough princes (or white horses) around. And when I found a little white porcelain horse on the street the other day I wondered what had happened. And where are all those princes?

I made a shadow box to tell the story.

The first initiation also came from this little white horse with one cracked ear.

When I had the entire story in my mind I started to collect different objects and old book pages to compose a set up and to visualize the tale I wanted to tell: the image of a sleeping prince which was the back cover of a fairytale book from the 70th, the first page of "Sleeping Beauty" out of a book from 1934, some trees and flowers and toys and - of course - an old cigar box.

The first step always is to clean and paint the inside of the box. I like to use an acrylic paint in a bright ivory tone.

Then I clue the background. It is very clever to design the single background pages in advance (I mean, outside of the box, before it is adhered to it) since it is difficult to paint, glue or stamp inside the box.

After allowing the clue and paint to dry I start to set up the foreground. In the end I never use a lot (or even all) of the little toys and objects I started with in the first place.

There is always that special moment when it says: Stop - you are done, it has to be just like it is. And then you have to stop adding a little more or a little this or that.

And the story?

The prince sleeps in the forrest dreaming of something special, his sword lies useless, just a little curious marten is interested in it and the white horse wants to know: Need A Ride? Little sad, hm?

This Moment

2011-02-25T18:41:00.003+01:00

To see what this moment (and many others but similar ones) produced, come here.

more moments here

My creative space on thursday

2011-02-24T09:10:00.003+01:00

The wonderful son turns 10 today. The most beautiful creative space I could imagine.

Find more creative spaces on Kirsty´s blog.

Colorful Yarn Experience

2011-02-21T18:33:00.003+01:00

The other day my boyfriend came home with a plastic bag full of beautiful colored yarn (he got it from an old lady, he told me). So yesterday I took my needle and crochet. It was not about the form but about the colors. I made these little pouches. It is interesting how different they look just because the diverse direction of the stripes. The first one I made with 80 stitches the second one with 30. I crochet a square the size I wanted it and sew it to a pouch with a lid. They are not perfect but very charming - and yes, colorful.

Longing for paint

2011-02-17T08:28:00.003+01:00

my creative space on thursday -

yesterday I discovered Thomas Campbell.

Today I should go and buy some new colors.

Find more creative spaces here at Kirsty´s Blog.

Inspiration

2011-02-15T11:45:00.004+01:00

My friend Manuela Olten (check out her beautiful things in her wonderful shop Juime) told me the other day that she always gets inspired by the work of Tim Burton. I can see this influence in her dolls and creatures and in her humor.

What are you inspired by?

I very often answer: by the world and my life. A little vague, I guess. But it is true though.

* a smile from my boyfriend

* a saying of my kids

* a tale of a friend

* a light beam at the right spot

* an unexpected (street) art piece

* a smell that reminds me of something

* a noise I almost have forgotten about

* a good book, sometimes just a great word

* a picture of something somewhere

* a funny coincidence

Those are just a few examples when all of a sudden something happens inside of me and I give birth to an idea. To keep all these numerous influences and inspirations I collect them in my two blogs (this one and Rauchmittel, my german one). My virtual sketch- and notebooks.

there is always a new beginning

kitchen talk

dangerous kiss

do you see me?

we have an eye on you

always & 4ever locked

plus: this wonderful little movie: Tim Burton´s "Vincent"

Romantic Jewelry

2011-02-14T11:12:00.004+01:00

The last three days I worked with memory wire. Now my fingers and my thumbs hurt. The material is hart and at the cut always sharp but it also gives beautiful possibilities.

At the moment I own about 6 kilograms of vintage buttons. I can´t resist buying those old boxes full of buttons on flea markets.

Yesterday I found a beautiful way to use at least some of those buttons. I made memory wire bracelets. First I decided about the style, in this case a romantic one. I went through my beads and buttons and selected the ones I wanted to use for the bracelet.

And then I didn´t think any further about the design. I just used the material I had in front of me and let go.

This moment

2011-02-11T18:45:00.003+01:00

a friday ritual by soulemama

The act of giving yarn a personality

2011-02-10T07:58:00.002+01:00

my creative space on thursday -

it all started with a tutorial for a crochet robot, named crobot, I found on Brett Bara´s blog Manhattan Craft Room.

Somewhere I mentioned it before: I am not a crochet queen. But we had this funny event three nights ago called "Bierhäkeln" (beer crochet). While we would drink beer we crochet something (or vice versa). When I came home I had a really interesting looking orange thing in my bag.

I gave it a face this morning and asked where he came from. His answer was amazing.

find more creative spaces at Kirsty´s blog.

Saying I love you in a different way

2011-02-08T18:07:00.004+01:00

I while ago I wrote down the alphabet in binary code - just to see how it looks like.

Yesterday I had the great idea to translate this alphabet with beads in a language of jewelry. I translated "I Love you", "Ich Liebe Dich" (German) and "Te Quiero" (Spanish) and made a necklace out of it.

A piece that combines soul with technology - quit contemporary but with the depth of the soul.

I like it a lot. Here you can have it.

Splendid Shot - Valentines Day comes closer

2011-02-05T15:26:00.004+01:00

I discovered my love for the anatomy of the heart in illustrations a while ago. On The Graphics Fairy Blog I found a wonderful one and kept it on my desktop.

Yesterday I worked with an old cigar box. They are so beautiful and sometimes they tell you their story. On my one was written in old handwriting "Ringschrauben" (ring screws - no idea what that is). Using just the box the lid stays extant. But not in my house, ;-).

"Meisterschuß" (master shot or a better: splendid shot) was written on it and an arrow hit the heart of an aim. Immediately I had the picture of cupid in my mind, aiming a heart. And I had a wonderful use for the illustration of the anatomic heart.

It´s a piece to hang at the wall. I don´t know yet if there is still something missing. I don´t want to make it too feminine.

oops, I just saw that I forgot to finish the letter M.

Shadow box idea

2011-02-03T14:57:00.005+01:00

On a flea market I found this little plastic post chaise. Something I associate with longing - waiting for a letter, for a sign from somebody. I am not even sure if a lot of people still know this feeling since we life in a world of promptness (even emotionally).

It will become one of my little boxes.

We have a saying in Germany: The hope is green - Grün ist die Hoffnung. These words I will stamp on the back.

One more cup of coffee and I will start making it.

Find more creative spaces here at Kirsty´s blog.

Lego Cufflinks

2011-02-02T10:42:00.003+01:00

During a craft fair end of January a man asked me if I could make some cufflinks with my Shakespearean word cabochons which I use to make rings and ear pins. I thought this is a wonderful idea and I will make those.

Searching for "plain" cufflinks I found this funny Etsy shop from Groglmann. There are many other models than the ones on the picture but the Lego helmet Cufflinks are my favorites.

Industrial Chic

2011-02-01T18:47:00.004+01:00

I couldn´t resist and made a new treasury "industrial finds".

Is there a limitation from etsy? I wonder if it would be possible to become addicted somehow.

found object brass bracelet

2011-01-31T21:50:00.003+01:00

Yesterday my boyfriend called telling me he stood at a pile with bulk trash and he just found some great drawers for me to make something like this.

Even I was tired I jumped in the car. Getting there I also found an old box with tiny little pieces - you know, those ones one always collects since one never really knows what they are for. And maybe they could be important some day. Oh, it was just great.

I cleaned them all and made charms out of them. In the end I designed a beautiful bracelet with those charms - Industrial Chic. Here it is.

this moment

2011-01-28T23:24:00.004+01:00

Moments to adhere to:

once a month the new comic arrives by mail. As soon as he opens the postbox nothing else matters anymore for the rest of the day.

some more moments here.

Collage Art with Illustrations

2011-01-28T15:59:00.002+01:00

Since I am a huge fan of illustrations I ordered the other day the little book from DearOly. She sent me a full package of little surprises.

Today I made a collage with the copies of her beautiful sketches and illustrations. Maybe it is not the way she would ever put her art up. And for a second I wasn´t sure if I was allowed to do so.

I remember an architecture professor who told us students once he did not even allowed the people living in a house he designed to put up their own curtains since those wouldn´t fit his concept of the building. This is long ago but I still think about it.

When I hung up the collage the sun sent a ray and drew a shadow of the dove which I actually adhered to the front glass on the background. The beauty of it was an answer.

changing perception

2011-01-27T16:54:00.003+01:00

my creative space -

today I tried to design a little card. I ended up not liking both designs I made and suffering from a headache. Obviously it´s one of those days.

I needed to inspire myself a little. Therefor I set up a situation with some washed ashore found objects on my desk. Since I had them for more than 5 month in a little plastic bag they stink fishy. Must be the two fish skeletons, I assume, ;-).

But in the end it changed my perception. I am still not sure about my card but I feel okay to have a break now and I am happily looking forward to a theater visit this evening.

Find more creative spaces here.

4ever

2011-01-26T18:58:00.003+01:00

some things are forever

Faith - Love - Hope

you and me

4ever

fantastic plastic

2011-01-24T18:57:00.008+01:00

Today I designed my first treasury on Etsy. It is called "Fantastic Plastic".

My reasons?

plastic is fun - it makes us smile - it can be recycled - it can be found and used - it can store memories - it can make pretty - it is part of our culture - it should not be trash or litter!

To stay aware please watch this trailer for the movie "Plastic Planet".

washed ashore bracelet

2011-01-24T11:51:00.004+01:00

I finally made my Washed Ashore Bracelets with all the colorful plastic litter I collected at the beach of Malaga.

Of course it was hard to breathe in all the stinky and unhealthy dust and vapor which developed by drilling the wholes. But it felt good to know that I did a real recycling and upcycling job.

And I like the output a lot.

Valentines Day

2011-01-19T11:50:00.002+01:00

In Germany Valentines Day was never I big thing. At least when I was younger. Today the kids in school can send cute cards from one classroom to the other, actually from one school to the other. It´s kind of an entity behind it - and somehow a great possibility for shy ones. Back then I had to hand out my love letters personal - or one of my friends did that for me and vice versa.

I got my first Valentines gift when I was in love with somebody in San Diego. And I liked it.

Right now I am in a romantic mood. Yesterday I made the Romeo and Julia necklace and today this finger ring. Perfect for a Valentines Date.

Dear Oly

2011-01-18T11:59:00.004+01:00

I follow her amazing and beautiful blog for a while. Since I love her way of illustrate the world I finally ordered the little book. But on it´s way to me it got lost somewhere, I had to wait for a second one and felt sad. And then the other day Oly´s little package arrived - and it was full of tiny surprises. Me and my daughter had a wonderful time unpacking and discovering the treasure. Thank you!

Bows and ribbon loops

2011-01-17T13:46:00.003+01:00

Some time ago a little package arrived and revealed among other things some tiny bows. I had completely forgotten that I had ordered them the other day but I fell immediately in love with them again.

Sometimes it is really hard to design or make something with a material or a piece one fell in love with before. It´s quit similar to a blank paper. I am sure everybody knows that fear to destroy something that was already perfect. Therefor it took me till today to make these little brooches and finger rings.

For the brooch below I punched a hole in a brooch pin. I attached the jump rings with the silver heart. Afterwards I sew the bow on the pin.

To make the finger rings took me a little longer. I adhered the resin flowers to a metal piece with an eyelet. I sewed the bow to the eyelet, embellished it with a sequin and glued the metal piece to the ring.

My friend Manuela Olten made these wonderful bow finger rings for her label juime.

Plus: I found this amazing tool to make little bows and loops - it´s called Bow Easy. The little film shows you how to use it. Create!

This moment

2011-01-14T16:09:00.002+01:00

a moment of this past week - a friday ritual initiated by soulemama.

Last day

2011-01-14T08:15:00.002+01:00

Today I will mail my sketchbook. I will try to do that in an easygoing way. It will not work out, I know that already.

I have to do projects like it more often. To get used to put many thoughts, time, energy and emotions into one thing and then - let it go. Wow!

There is even a cute guest entry from my boyfriend, ;-).

Come to the sketchbook flickr group. There are incredibly beautiful pieces waiting for you - a joy to behold.

And now a new calendar starts. The countdown for the next project starts: it is jewelry making time for the design fair REVIERGUT in my hometown.

We will start with drilling holes in sea glass - an ungrateful job, indeed.

Sketchbook Project - just two more days

2011-01-12T16:32:00.004+01:00

I can´t imagine to be without my sketchbook after next friday - that I will really send it away, even far away.

I like how it grows and changes every day. Even the finished pages keep developing. The pressure of the pen "draws" new lines and strange spots to the sketches. It looks a little dirty and used but also kind of alive and full of energy.

I like how far I can bend the theme: adhere to me. Everyday new ideas pop into my mind and with those I try to go even further. It opens my mind, it pushes my creativity in any way.

(I found another artist using those fruit stickers and I like her work: PoisenBerry is an english illustrator)

six pages later ( the cord of the phones crosses all of them, running through the basilisk, the flies and the little boy that grieves about his freed swallow):

Up to now I didn´t find a title for this little 2pages story below. It strongly belongs to the theme and it defines itself but I can´t find the right words. Maybe "The View"(how boring)

Juliao Sarmento CACMALAGA

2011-01-12T11:20:00.002+01:00

This exhibition of the art of Juliao Sarmento we saw last week in Malaga (CAC) was worth the visit.

Since we were just the two of us he took some pictures. I have no idea if that was allowed. Maybe not.

2011-01-11T14:35:00.003+01:00

Beside the Sketchbook Project countdown - just three more days - I made today some new jewelry pieces.

For the very first time I used these little glass cabochons. In an old book I searched for beautiful word couples - one the opposite of the other - and cut them out. That was the real fun part of the whole project (since I am an author, no wonder, I guess).

With Diamond Glaze I glued them on the back side of the glass. After drying I coated the back side and adhered an ear pin or one of these kitschy finger rings.

ear pins: "Love" & "Game"

finger rings: "Mine" & "His"

"Day & Night"

small ear pins: "Luck" & "Nightmare"

I made more because it is really fun and challenging to find perfect word couples.

"Word" & "World"

"Flesh" & "Spirit"

"Fool" & "God"

and plenty more.

2011-01-10T15:46:00.002+01:00

Just found this picture in Sarah Neuburger´s blog The Small Object Steno Pad. Since it made me really happy I stole it to share and to spread it.

Now I will go in the kitchen to shell some nuts, ;-).

2011-01-10T15:27:00.004+01:00

Sketchbook Project - just 4 days left ...

2011-01-09T11:24:00.003+01:00

Whilst strolling the narrow streets of Malaga I discovered a beautiful tiny shopwindow. Some fabulous handmade dolls caught my eye and I entered Los Tesoros de Senda.

I love artfully handmade and fancy stuff so this was a perfect place for me. The little treasury offers fashion, accessories, illustrations, jewelry, toys and art - for boys and girls, men and women - and everything handmade from different artists and designers.

At the high walls and in the upper level the likable shop owners show exhibitions of art and illustrations and when you look at those pictures in their blog you find out how beautiful the vernissage parties must be, ;-).

When I bought the print of a cute fat monster juggle with some cupcakes just "feeling in heaven" (I can´t read the artist signature on the back) and some buttons from Silvia Gandara I will even got a wonderful present. The paper bags are illustrated by Emmanuel Lafont and just smashing. Check out his amazing site.

2011-01-08T16:39:00.002+01:00

We are back from Malaga / Spain. Guess what? We had a great time.

(In my german blog I will post over the next days some pictures. If you are interested in details of Malaga you are invited to come and see.)

Here I will write about the trip as food for my creativity - in many ways.

First thing to mention are our beach walks the very first and the second day. In between toilet paper, tampons and other bad smelling stuff - yes, sad but true, but the mediterranean coasts are filthy and polluted, even in winter time - I found beautiful sea glass and a lot of plastics. If one looks at these cute shops for children which are loaded with sweets and colorful toys one understands why. It is just a shame that all these tiny things end up in the sea.

Of course I love to find my "treasures" but as Angela from the Washed Ashore Project said to me the other day last summer, it would make her more than happy if she could not find the material for her art at the beaches. Therefor it is always a mixed feeling when I bend down to pick up some plastics the waves just washed ashore. I hope the reuse, recycling and upcycling of these little parts of trash within my jewelry excuses the leaps my heart made when I found a really beautiful piece.

2011-01-01T14:54:00.004+01:00

sketchbook day #9 till # 15

the two of us will see these wonderful exhibitions in Malaga / Spain:

* Toys of the Avant-garde here

and

* Juliao Sermento here

We will eat spanish tapas and drink red wine, we will walk the shore lines and see a lot of medieval architecture.

What a great start for a new year!

2010-12-31T16:23:00.002+01:00

sketchbook day #7 wasn´t really a sketchbook day. Considering todays date with a good reason, ;-).

"attraction"

MY WISH FOR ALL OF YOU US

Wouldn´t that be wonderful?

2010-12-30T13:02:00.002+01:00

sketchbook project Day #6

"memories"

adhere to me 0015

2010-12-29T18:55:00.003+01:00

Sketchbook Project Day #5 (still)

I just finished a little series: "Adhere to your schedule".

I made three different kinds of schedules. They symbolize three extremely different live styles.

There is a special connection between the first and the second one since almost all us know that feeling "YOU ARE / I TRY".

Whilst schedule No 3 brings it back to the point: many people have just one word on their schedules (no matter if they are daily, weekly or monthly) - SURVIVE.

2010-12-29T12:40:00.004+01:00

Sketchbook Project Day #5

Of course I looked over here and went into raptures about all those beautiful sketchbooks. See for example the amazing work of the illustrator Hayley Wilcock.

And it happened that I felt bad about my own work. A little bit. But then - hey - I like my drawings and my collages. I am not a learned illustrator though but I am kind of skilled and - the best part - I try to put my humor into my sketches or my way to see the world (which is sometimes funny and sometimes sad even very sad).

"Allure"

"Sometimes just maidenhair lies in between adhésion and adieu."

(as found in this really old French-German-dictionary)

2010-12-27T15:39:00.007+01:00

By now I really do love the yellow paper. Even it gives me this shivering when I tough it with a pen.

follow these instructions

you shouldn´t leave me alone

and here are two beautiful pages from artists I am friend with at this place:

From Pavinee "a graphic designer who love drawing cute things"

from Seth Fitts "a southeastern U.S. artist who currently resides in Georgia"

2010-12-26T16:15:00.002+01:00

I am working at my Art House Sketchbook Project sketchbook. It is a lot of fu and a lot of work. I love my theme: Adhere to me. If I start I find hundreds of different ways to illustrate it. And hundreds of different meanings.

Here is my portofolio.

2010-12-20T18:18:00.006+01:00

Sometimes art just happens in passing:

"Mommy, I will finish that one later."

´Cause he had important things to do: pop art christmas cards. All the "family and friends"- members will get one. The clock is important, it shows that the whole scenery is inside.

By the way, making those cards is a great way for boys

of being creative: it just takes some minutes and it looks great.

And here comes the reason why this post is about my sons creativity: my still absolutely empty sketch book project sketch book. I feel so bad about it. But my head is full of ideas. Today I edited my profile at art house co-op and found Alina Chau´s sketchbook. Just beautiful. And cute. I like cute things, also.

2010-12-17T09:43:00.002+01:00

Today it´s about christmas cards.

Every year I usually spend about three days to design, craft, glue, paint, create and make the cards for my family and friends. The bad thing about it is: I never kept one for myself. I can´t even remember what I made two years ago. Of course I don´t dare to ask somebody what kind of card they´ve received back then from me. They might not kept it. Oh, my mom surely did. Next time visiting my parents I will bring my camera and take some pictures.

I found these guys below. I made those for last years cards. I used pop sickle sticks which I paint with hair and faces. Those I dressed in little fur and fibre pieces.

It was fun making them. They used to complain when they didn´t like their dresses, ;-).

2010-12-15T17:43:00.002+01:00

While the kids paint glitter stars, the girls shop super cute gifts and the moms craft christmas tree decorations I know many men who can´t relate to all the christmas activities happening right now in every corner. Maybe it´s all a little bit too much for them? How about something less conspicuous with a wink?

2010-12-09T08:25:00.003+01:00

my creative space -

I can´t help myself: looking out of my window I have to admire somebody else´s creative space: God is a street art artist!

2010-12-02T11:24:00.002+01:00

my creative space -

after organizing, working for, hosting and selling at the "Dreitageladen" last weekend, I am still kind of empty. And I realize: I need a break.

Outside the snow covered the surfaces - the ugly ones but also the beautiful once. The sun is just a cold pale disc at the sky. It feels kind of soothing.

I am reading the "Hunger Games" - wonderful and horrible books which take me away.

find more creative spaces here.