Free Image Tuesday....8 Random Things....

This is another full plate tintype that is a copy of another photograph. Look at those sweeties!!! I love everything about this picture. Their plaid dresses, their solemn expressions and the way that someone painted the lace on the little one's pantaloons. Just lovely. I hope you will use it in your art and share with us.

Sweet Fran Welch at Ethereal Art tagged me to share 8 random facts/habits about me on the blog. As much as I love to ramble, and you know I do, it was a hard assignment. So here are my random things:

• I always eat one thing at a time on my plate. I don't mix my food. I start with my least favorite thing and always save my favorite thing for last.
• I can imitate the cry of a newborn baby with scary precision. Just ask Cheryl. I gave her New Mommy flashbacks!
• I question what I am doing with this whole art thing about a million times a day.
• I am a caretaker, nurturer type person and I am learning to put my needs first a little bit each day.
• I can't whistle.
• I am a voracious reader and I read my favorite books over and over and over:) They are comfortable, like old friends.
• I was a second grade teacher for 10 years before I had children. I love to teach and the beginning of the school year is hard for me because that's when I miss it the most.
• I had my tonsils removed when I was fifteen and again when I was 34 after they GREW BACK!

I apologize for being absent lately on your blogs. Please know that even if I am not commenting I have been thinking of all of you daily. I have been getting ready to open an ETSY store and share some of my wonderful vintage things with you. I can't wait!

New Art.... Star Wars Exhibit.....

Collage made with vinatge letter, CDV and bird's nest/eggs reprints, acrylics, gel medium and ribbon.

We are off to see the Star Wars exhibit with the boys. I will share pictures when we get back. Thank you everyone who has left comments this past week. I am so thankful for your support and sweet words. Your words lift me like no other. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!!! Love, Jamie

Congratulations Nancy!!!!!....Other Free Image....

I want to thank Nancy from Vintage Papers for giving me the "Rockin' Girl Blogger" award. You are so sweet Nancy! When you get a chance run on over to her blog and see her art pieces featured in the new August/September issue of Somerset Studios magazine. Now THAT rocks!!Here are the rest of the girls from yesterday. There are two missing, but I will scan them in later:)

Collage done on wood base with vintage eggs, vintage letter and vintage image reprint, acrylics, distress ink and matte gel medium.
I realized yesterday that I never used my own free images!!! I'm going to start. They're free, right? LOL! I would like to thank Cheryl from Stash Studios for finding those awesome egg prints and the antique letter circa. 1875 for me. I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!

Free Image Tuesday!....

This is a group of girls from a girl's school. This is from 1915 and I wish I knew their names. There are seven in the group but only six will fit on the scanner. I have another set that I will share later:) Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!!

Love in the Mail!!!!.....

My heart was a flutter when the mail man came this morning!! I knew Miss Ooh Lah Lah was coming home today:) She was made by Lori at Faerie Window who is so talented and imaginative!! I love how everything came wrapped and tied with sweet bows. She included a sweet note, some yummy Moo cards and a little ribbon covered box to hold Ooh Lah Lah's cone purse. And even an extra treat!! Her sweet table made from a vintage album cover and sweet wooden spools. So enchanting!

Here is everything unwrapped. I love how Lori's note has her banner picture on the front! Smart!

And here is Miss Ooh Lah Lah in her new home:) She's going to rest a while before she starts her two-step lessons:) Thank you so much Lori!!! Your attention to detail is wonderful and your craftsmanship is top notch! Love, Texas

Have A Happy Weekend Everyone!.....

Collage done on antique ledger paper with transparency overlay, vintage image reproduction and vintage text.

This collage was quick and dirty! I am trying to loosen up and just go with it instead of always having every detail planned out before I start. I think I am missing out on some great "Aha" moments by not letting myself relax.
I hope your weekend is filled with love and laughter! Hopefully I will get a chance to check in with you all:) Love, Jamie

Free Image Art Pieces.....Mail Goodies....Thanks To All.....

Look at this sweet cigar box assemblage piece by the talented Miss Sue whose blog is called When I Get Around To It. I LOVE that name girl! Thank you so much for using the image in your art. I can't tell you how thrilling it is for me to see it in an art piece. Thanks sweetie!

I also got a special ATC from super talented Mrs. Nancy Maxwell James of Vintage Papers. It came in it's own handmade card and was made using one of my free images. What a sweetheart Nancy is to share that with me. I love them both Nancy!

Well, today is also devoted to all (all of you!)the wonderful artists out there who inspire and make my heart go pitter-pat:) I have some lovely things to share that the mailman brought me during my vacation. I'll start with the super talented Miss Lori from Faerie Window! Boy, does she spoil me. This is my consolation prize and console it did! Look at those sweet art pieces. Her talent, attention to detail and craftsmanship is above none! Thank you so much for your support and friendship sweetie!

Next, the fabulous Corey Moortgat at Corey Moortgat-Collage Artist sent this wonderful package of goodies as a thank you to me and I love every piece of it!!! Thank you so much Corey. I can't wait to use them in my art!

This wonderful piece of art was purchased from the very talented Tricia Scott at A Little Birdie Told Me. Not only did I receive this wonderful beeswax collage (I love those eyes) I also received some fabulous goodies from Tricia. Thank you so much for inspiring me Tricia!

I also was thrilled to see some very wonderful pages from a 1912 book called The Book of Knowledge on her ETSY site. I bought these because my copy of the book (see photo above:) is not so great and I love the print of the dolls from around the world. (see photo below:)

Colette Copeland of A Bird In The Hand who makes wonderful fabric art, collage art and even paints:) She is a dear and this is the sweet cabinet card assemblage I purchased from her. I love how she wrapped it in fabric and the sweet Thank You tag. Wonderful work Colette! And last, but not least! This is the beautiful piece I purchased from the super talented Linda Harre from Studio Stuff. I have been in love with it ever since I first saw it in Somerset Studio magazine. Linda has so much beauty in her and it comes out in her art. Thank you Linda!

Good to be Back in Blogland....Art....Free Image Tuesday.....

Did ya miss me? I missed you!!!!! I am so happy to be back and getting back into a routine. Mom's visit was awesome and the boys and I miss her terribly. She is such a fun grandma and spends all her time playing with the boys. They love it! Except for her getting sick, it was a perfect visit.

I spent yesterday cleaning out my art closet (really, it's my clothes closet, but who cares about clothes?) and I have come to the conclusion that I have too much stuff!!!! I better start making some art on a more regular basis and stop buying things! LOL!! I am making it a goal to end the spending and I am only buying supplies like glue, gesso or having copies made of photos. Really. Promise:) I am going to really try hard. I pretty much have everything I need right now. It's just hard to get past the "wants but doesn't need" thing I have going on right now. So my goal is less spending and more arting!!!! Here is the piece I just finished this morning.


Here is the free image. I don't know anything about this cutie except that the photo was taken in Guilford, ME. I think her eyes are fabulous! If you use her let me know and I will post your art:)

Tomorrow I am going to post and show you all the wonderful things I have received from the postman since I've been gone. I am blessed. It may take some time to get around to you all today, but that's my goal:)

Miss You Guys!!!...Free Image Tuesday....

Oh, how I miss you all and my time here in Blog Land. Mom has been sick and is only now feeling better, so I think I will not be back on until she leaves on Thursday or Friday. I can't wait to catch up with all of your fabulous creations and say hi to you all!:) To make up for my absence I am posting three awesome photos today!

Meet Willard and Carl Shinn. I don't know how they made those feisty boys sit still to get their hair curled, but I bet it wasn't easy. I can barely get a comb through my guys' hair in the mornings!

There are no names on the back of this one, but I so love the sweet expressions on their faces. This photo was taken in Philadelphia.

This beauty is Miss Belle Davis from Burlington, NJ. She looks like a very independent gal to me. I wonder how long it took to get dressed in all those layers of clothes?

Free Image Tuesday...My Sweet Mom!....

My Mom is here for the next two weeks!!! Yeah!!!! The boys are so excited that their "Boo" is here to play with them. I love it when she visits:) She came bearing gifts and I am sharing them with you today for Free Image Tuesday. I don't know how much computer time I will have while she is here, but I will visit when I can and post when I can. I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July and be careful with those fireworks!