Wordless Wednesday: Introducing Homer

We've been so busy creating interesting things to share with everyone, we haven't really taken any time to introduce ourselves to you.  I'd like to start by introducing the most interesting member of our family, Homer.

Homer is a Havanese and, in the 2 years he's been a part of our family, he's entrenched himself in our lives and hearts.  Given to me by a former boss who could no longer keep him, he joined us at about 8 months old.

Technically a companion for our father (who really didn't want a companion!), he is probably the smartest four-legged person our family has ever had.  The breed is known for being gentle and, although I scoffed at the idea, not barking.

 It took 2 months before we heard a sound out of him.


I think he realized that "grandpa" couldn't hear him (the doorbell, the phone, someone knocking, etc.) and so he took to standing at the base of whatever chair Dad was sitting in and "woofing" up at him.  When that didn't work - standing on his hind legs and putting his front feet on Dad's legs along with the "woof" did. 

He is an absolute joy and has become Dad's constant companion.  When we take Homer on "vacation" or to Doggy Daycare, there's always a phone call that begins with Dad singing "Oh where oh where has my Homer gone... Bring back, bring back oh bring back my Homer to meeeeeee!"

The pictures here were taken one day when "grandpa" and "daddy" were heading to the store together, leaving me "mom" alone with our little guy.



Picture one - -- ok Mom - where did they go and why didn't they take me!

 Picture two - -  you said they'd be right back -- where are they?

Halloween Skeleton Flying Army!

I know it seems like we've completed bypassed a couple of holidays with all of our talk of ornaments, snowmen, trees and decorations.... but I think we've saved the best for this week.   In the spirit of Halloween...let me introduce you to my SKELETON FLYING ARMY!

Yes folks - I took my inspiration from a skeleton fairy I bought Diane (who loves all things macabre!) this summer.  I thought - why not... afterall - I'll need something to combat the march of the zombie nutcrackers that are sure to make an appearance on our blog soon.   So here they are.

 

 

 

 

 

So easy to make - I took apart a skeleton garland I found and attached some appropriate colored butterfly wings to their backs.  Then it was just a case of raiding my stash of art supplies for accessories.  I added steampunk weapons to sashes and even created a steampunk shield for another.   Have to come up with some good names though..after all, how can I direct my defenses if I can't call them by name?   Any ideas?

I know it's late - but if you're interested in picking up one or two to fight your own battles - check our our ATA girl store.  With luck - they'll be flying into your home in time to battle your own ghosts and goblins!

http://atagirls.storenvy.com/

SteamPunk Christmas Tree Ornament

You know what they say, once you start steampunking... you just can't stop, (ok, maybe I am the only one that says that.) Once you get used to putting on and taking off your bifocals one hundred million times and gluing your fingers together while putting vintage watch gears on a small wood snowman or jewelery box, you get addicted to the whole Victorian, Science Fiction look of the Steam Punk Movement.

Previously we shared with you my work on a wooden SteamPunk egg and snowman, and my work on Holiday offerings for our ATA Girl Store Envy storefront is continuing and I wanted to share my work with you, our friends.

Lately, I have been working on the rest of the SteamPunk Snow family, including a SteamPunk Snowbroad (or Snowlady) and Snowbaby; complete with gear teddy bear. Cute hey?

The same basic ways and means of making them as explained in our Steampunk Snowman process applies here, painting and sealing the wooden snowman ornaments, then  applying the gears with a super glue adhesive.







I decided to expand the line a little with a Wooden SteamPunk decorated Christmas Tree, also an ornament and I like the way it is developing.

We added a little more glitz to the trees, using a red or green base color then topping it off with a glitter so that the trees bounce some light from your own holiday lights when displayed. I used some decoupaged lettering on the trees, in this case some text from "The Night Before Christmas" and some typewriter key font to spell out Noel on another in-progress.

The use of tiny watch parts and gears to replicate tree ornaments puts this SteamPunk piece over the top and makes it a fun, (if not eye-crossing) project.

Not into using tweezers to make art? No worries. Support your ATA Girls and purchase them at our StoreEnvy site here.     ~ Diane

Egg Dioramas: The Traditional Holiday Ornament

I know it's been awhile - but i thought I'd ramp things up again with a little lesson on Eggs.  With the holiday season fast approaching - my fingers are flying and the creative juices are flowing as I work on getting my Winter egg collection going.  What - you may ask - could I possibly make from eggs that would be appropriate for the winter holidays?  Well - read on my friends and bask in my artistic endeavors (ok - just a bit overdone - but it's late LOL )

I've taught many classes for young and old alike during the months up to the Christmas holidays and every time my students are just amazed at what they've created in just a few hours.  Now that doesn't include all the prep work I've done for them before hand - but you get my drift.  I usually stick to duck and goose eggs as they seem to be the perfect height for hanging.

I love the look of winter scenes with birds and deer running through them. While I often use red birds that resemble cardinals, I've taken to coordinating my bird and outside designs and have expanded my selection to purple and blue. The birds scene here actually match the color of the poinsettia I've added to the outside of the egg. 

 

 

 And of course, blue birds look best with silver accents. 

I've also played with larger eggs.  This ostridge egg, for example, is one I taught last year at the Ohio Egg Artist show and turned out really well.  This one also has 2 matching goose egg ornaments so it makes a great combination.  

These diorama eggs are probably some of my favorites to make as I love the glittery, icy look to them.  

I've placed some of these egg ornaments in our ATA girl store as well as in the Etsy store. Stop by and take a look. If you have any questions - just give me a shout.  It's never too late to plan for the holidays.