Works From the Attic by Linda

"Brighton Goth" Sometimes designs just fall into place and other times I stop and think far too much about what I am working on. This design is special, it is a custom order for a friend from across the pond and she is special. We have more in common than many would think so it was important that she enjoy this piece but that nothing was offensive to her. Sometimes the less you know someone the harder it is to design a piece. Some things are sometimes contradictory and yet by now, I should know to just go with the gut instinct and things will be fine. So, the "Goth Gurl From Brighton", here is your special gift. There are crystals to delight the tiara princess in you and skulls from every point in the globe to satisfy that Goth side. Everything is hand-wrapped and won't come apart unless you use wire cutters. ~smile~ I think Wednesday Addams would love it. She really needs one in her jewelry box. Some things aren't apparent in the photograph like...

I belong to a wonderful group on Yahoo groups called Altered_stArt. We have wonderful swaps within the group, but it is the camaraderie of the group that is unbeatable. Usually we have about 4-5 swaps to choose from every month. We make everything from Artist Trading Cards to altered charms, tag books, altered books, altered tins, you name it we have probably swapped it. If not, we just may next month! lol Kristal is a member of the group who started something this summer called "Kristal's Challenge". She challenges us to create something special in the style of an artist we admire and we may either keep it or give it away. This month, I chose to paint a tin plate with a design by Maureen McNaughton MDA. I love her techniques and designs. Since I finished the plate at the time I would need to in order to enter it in our local fair, I did just that. I was thrilled to win a second place ribbon on it. I owe many thanks to Kristal for inspiring all of us to keep on...

I joined in a swap on Swap-Bot called "My Selfish Swap". I rarely take the time to make jewelry for myself, it is usually something I am working on for others. The ladies in my beading group were learning coraling so I took the opportunity to learn the technique and make myself a pair of earrings in the process. I used a Swarovski crystal at the top for a little extra sparkle. The beads are an iridescent brown with matte brown beads for the picots. I had a lot of fun with the technique and really enjoyed making something for myself for a change. It has been a lot of fun to see what the other ladies did for themselves as well. I hope everyone enjoyed the swap as much as I did.

BEST OF SHOW-WESTMORELAND COUNTY FAIR It certainly has been one of the worst weeks of my life; however showing up at the fair today certainly put the spring back in my step. I entered 5 projects in the fair. This is the first time I have entered our local fair and the first time I have entered any fair in about...31 years! So, imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw that my "Shades of Green" (original design by Kelly Hoernig) won First Place and Best of Show! I was so shocked and so excited at the same time that it is surprising I didn't just pass out. I want to thank everyone for pushing me to enter it and giving me the support I have needed in the last week to get through all the family drama. I hope you will keep our family in your prayers, it will take a lot to repair what is broken. Thank you Kelly for your wonderful instructions and designs!

I belong to a wonderful group of ladies and gents called "Altered Start". We have swaps all the time and recently I hosted an Altered Shoe Swap. Occasionally someone is unable to fulfill their swap obligation and the hostess will step in and help out. It was my pleasure to fulfill the obligation and create yet another cute shoe for the swap. They are fairly simple but so much fun. I used the Ranger Ink Tim Holtz Distress Ink and alcohol inks; the butterflies were made with an awesome design by Penny Duncan http://pennyduncancreations.blogspot.com/ She has an awesome tutorial on her blog. I changed it up just a bit to suit my needs but her insects were the inspiration for the shoes. I have had so much fun using them in so many ways! The shoe pattern is by Cute as a Fox Creations http://www.cuteasafox.com/2010/04/paper-baby-shoe-template-with-download.html The paper used was by DCWV and I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the polka dots.

One of my groups, the Altered Start group on Yahoo groups recently had an "altered shoe swap" that I hosted. This is my pair of altered shoes. I had a little fun with them, a little whimsy, some elves, dragonflies, butterflies and flowers and lace. I used the Ranger Ink Tim Holtz Distress Ink and the butterflies were made with an awesome design by Penny Duncan http://pennyduncancreations.blogspot.com/ She has an awesome tutorial on her blog. I changed it up just a bit to suit my needs but her insects were the inspiration for the shoes. The shoe pattern is by Cute as a Fox Creations http://www.cuteasafox.com/2010/04/paper-baby-shoe-template-with-download.html The paper used was by DCWV I love the Altered Art exchanges. You never know for sure what you will get but I have yet to be dissatisfied with anything I received. I hope my exchange partner likes them as much as I do! Have a sunny day! Linda

Skull Appreciation Day, June 4 th , 2011 This Saturday, June 4 th is a celebration of cranial proportions that not that many people really know about. It is "Skull Appreciation Day". According to Wikipedia , Skull Appreciation Day is a result of an artist by the name of Noah Scalin who created an artistic skull a day for a year back in 2007. The website has dubbed June 4 th as the official International Skull-A-Day celebration. http://skulladay.blogspot.com The website http://smearedandsmudged.ning.com is hosting a blog hop in recognition of the day! So to all my fellow cranial admirers, be sure to show your appreciation for that wonderful thing that rests upon the top of your body. This is my first blog hop so hopefully by the time it is done, I will have learned how to post the links to the next site to visit! Skull jewelry is a custom order. Please inquire at linjmarino@gmail.com if interested. Terra Tori Alison Kelli Jane Alex Judi Kathi Steph Lisa Feddie Heather Kapr...