Photography~Shadow Were Are You?

SHADOW WHERE ARE YOU?

Shadow here you are

following me where ever I go,

I never can get far your right on my tail.

As I try to move away from you

your constantly in the way

Shadow,
shadow why do you follow me so
constantly getting in the way?
~Ranie Patridis

Have you ever try getting away from your shadow as your trying to take a picture of something. It seems I have that problem. This day it was constant no matter which angle I shot from the sun was just in that right position that cause me to have my shadow get in the way. Being a tad fluster I turn on my shadow took a picture of it. Then once in my computer I started playing around in my photo program changing this shadow in to something else. First I darken a little then added a light source, cool! As I was looking at that shadow I thought, little fat ye are, so I thin it now don't you wish you could do that? And then I changed the color of that naughty little shadow. Well from there I can't remember all the steps I took. As you can see for your self what do you think of my shadow now?

Well I feel a lot better, my self I like the end result the best. Now for those of you thinking which end how about the distorted unique picture the shadow turn into. ..*smile*..

Art~ATC

POINTILLISM

I was introduce to the art of pointillism a couple of years ago I believe in a doll group that I belong too. We were to make a doll in the style of an Artist way back. Going through the different artist I fell in love with George Surat an artist which was known for his little dots n slashes. After studying his work, well, I got so over whelm that I did not finish doll. It is waiting for me to pick up my paint brush to start working on it. Here is a ATC card that I did in pointillism. This is one of my very first attempt in the pointillism style. Every time I draw in the pointillism style I get better and better. What is that saying, "practice, practice, practice perfection will come along" I don't know about that what I do know that I have enjoy the many different styles of art. To the left of this page there is another pointillism card that I painted just a few months ago. Go take a peek it is near the bottom of this page.

Art ~ ATC Fabric

This is my first artist trading card. This adorable teddy bear is fabric. I cut it out then took my ink pens adding a bit of embellishment to it. I then picked up some embroider thread and did the eye's and nose. Then I decided it needed a bit more dressing up so I added some beads to the shirt and had Teddy holding a string of beads. The Title of this piece, "Let it Snow" I added some fake snow around him. The background is designer paper it was blue strips then I added some red lace around the edges. All my cards are hand made. I have a front which you see, then I glue this front to a core, let it dry, then I add the backing. I want my back to look as good as my front so to speak. Plus I like that card weight feel to it. The last thing I do to the back is apply a label with all my information on it. I take great pride in my art and how I put it together. I have received some beautiful cards that were only one-ply paper stock how disappointing it is. I think of my art as a true piece of value art. I want my work to show showmanship, quality, hopefully it will last a very long time and will be cherish as much as I value my art.

Poem ~ ART

ART

The hen remarked to the mooley cow,
As she cackled her daily lay,
(That is, the hen cackled) "It's funny how
I'm good for an egg a day,
I'm a fool to do it, for what do I get?
My food and my lodging. My!
But the poodle gets that-he's the household pet,
And he never has laid a single egg yet-
Not even when eggs are high."

The mooley cow remarked to the hen,
As she masticated her cud,
(That is, the cow did) "Well, what then?
You quit, and your name is mud.
I'm good for eight gallons of milk each day,
And I'm given my stable and grub;
But the parrot gets that much, anyway,-
All she can gobble-and what does she pay?
Not a dribble of milk, the dub!"

But the hired man remarked to the pair,
"You get all that's coming to you.
The poodle does tricks, and the parrot can swear,
Which is better than you can do.
You're necessary, but what's the use
Of bewailing your daily part?
You're bourgeois-working's your only excuse;
You can't do nothing but just produce-
What them fellers does is ART!"
~Unknown

Doll ~ Clowns

Clowns let the Fun Begin

Do you like Clowns? Oh my I do, a few years back here in Hayfork a very small circus came and with it they had clowns. I was just as excited as the kids where. What I like about clowns colors does not have to match you can be bright and cheerful. Now some of their faces may not be so pretty but I do love the bright colors they represents. These clowns were one of my first attempt to design my own dolls. They are sitting on a trike that I found. I embellish this trike with balloons and ribbons. It was a fun! I still have these today they are 7 years old, still putting a smile on our faces. These are consider "Collector" doll not a doll for a child to play with.

Doll ~ Paper Doll

PAPER DOLLS aka Art Dolls

Dolls are such an interesting art. You say art? Yes art. When you design a doll you need to have an idea what you want. I lay out my sketches here n there then when I finally settle on one that I like I copy it then start taking it apart to make my pattern. Here on Time Flies I did just that she is a paper art doll. This was a challenge doll that I was designing for a doll group that I belong in. I started out making the circles then combining them as a body. Once I was happy with the size then I did some painting and antiquing to the main body. From there I had some time piece clip art that I choose for body placements. I had the adorable little face clip-art that I use for the face. Now comes the wings I painted those as I did the shoes also. This was a fun little project that I greatly enjoyed. In most of my collages I blend my artistic drawing skills in with my collages. I was very bliss to win this challenge and received another fabulous paper doll from Lynne our moderator. But that wasn't why I made this doll I just wanted to join in the challenge have a little bit of fun coming up with a very unique piece. Which I did, this little lady is one of my favorite paper art dolls.

Doll ~ Primitive Rag Doll

Primitive Rag Doll

I am a primitive rag doll in days past Mommy's, Granny's and Auntie's use to make rag doll for their children to play with. Some would paint their rag dolls with others would draw the feathers in ink and then some would even hand embroider the facial features. It depended on the designer artist ability as to how detailed the faces would be.

My designer started out using a wood spoon to draw my head from there she gave me a simple little rag doll body which she then did some fancy needle sculpting to give me fingers and toes. Did I mention that she even painted me fingernails and toenails with acrylic paint and varnish. I love my painted toes so much I demanded to be left barefooted. My hair and facial features are hand embroider my cheeks and hair is highlighted with color pencils then spray with a sealer. My clothes are sewn onto my body and my pretty little apron as you can see above is edge in a floral leaf hand embroider stitch. I am holding my favorite little toy a crochet teddy bear. In days past when dolls like me were made we were toys for the children now a days we have become "collector dolls" to be admired and loved. If you are interested in me you can see more pictures of me at etsy

Poem ~ THE CHUCH WALKING WITH THE WORLD

As by now you have discover that I like no I love to read poems. I have several poem books that I enjoy from time to time. Here again I would like to share another good poem.

THE CHURCH WALKING WITH THE WORLD

The Church And The World walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.
"Come, give me your hand," said the merry World,
"And walk with me this way!"
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
And solemnly answered "Nay,
I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to death;
Your words are all untrue."

"Nay, walk with me but a little space,"
Said the World with a kindly air;
"The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there;
Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain;
The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe;
There's room enough for you and me
To travel side by side"

Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low,
"Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair."
The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
"I will change my dress for a costlier one,"
Said the Church, with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the World gave, in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While over her forehead her bright hair fell
Criped in a thousand curls.

"Your house is too plain," said the proud old World,
"I'll build you one like mine;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine."
So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold;
Rich fairs and shows in the halls where held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
There were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

"You give too much to the poor," said the World.
"Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?
Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and the costliest wine;
My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in."

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan's cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said
"I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast."
The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside-
"The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride."

The angel drew near to the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
The the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame;
And a voice was heard at last by the Church
From Him who sat on the throne,
"I know they works, and how thou has said,
'I am rich, and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;'
Therefore from my presence cast I thee out,
And blot they name from its place."
~Matilda C. Edwards

Doll ~ Bead Doll

Vashti Beaded Doll

Now you say what is a beaded doll? For me I took a piece of fabric turn it into a tube doll which I stuffed with polyester fiberfill. I made a clay head then I attached it to the tube. I also made it so that it would stand on this wood base.

Then came the beading. I hand stitched each bead to the whole body. I beaded around the head making it look like a band then I made the hair out of beads. That took me a very long time to do may I add.

Once the body was fully covered in beads then I stated adding the skirt and the trims etc. to give it the look that it is wearing a skirt and top. This was a very fun project that I did.

How many beads are on this 8 inch doll? I don't know, care to guess? What I enjoy the most about making this Beaded Art Doll it was very relaxing. I would sit each night faithfully working on this doll till she was done. I enter in her the Trinity County Fair won a Blue Ribbon, Best of Show, First of Class boy was I surprise also delighted.

I enjoy working in several different mediums especially when it comes to my doll making. I try to start out with an idea what I'm going to do but before I know it my whole idea has change due to the personality of the doll I am working on. Like this bead doll I had this idea using all different kinds of bright beads small n large but as I started working on it, well, another whole idea develop instead. This is consider a "Collector" doll not a toy for a child to play with.

Photography ~ Little Roads to Happiness

Tess, Taoso and I were walking out in pasture this morning admiring the new little flowers that are blooming along the ground. As I took pictures the poodles walked around being attacked by our 2 cats Tabby and Bobby. I don't know why but the just love to rub then jump over Taoso and Tess. The sun was so warm with the wind being a tad chilly. I wish the weather man could get it right. It is hard to believe that last Saturday and Sunday it was so warm over in the 80's and now we are back to wearing jackets and sweat shirts. As I look around me at the beautiful flowers that are beginning to bloom I wonder to myself how in the world do you all make it. One day it is very warm a couple of days latter it could be cold enough for a jacket. Nothing like Spring just wish we had a bit more rain. Have you ever try taking a walk with your pets and try to take pictures at the same time. Why is it that when you want a close-up of a very tiny flower that they find that exact flower just as interesting as you. Then when I see this isn't going to work I focus trying to get pictures of the culprits why is it that they suddenly turn camera shy and won't look up at you. ..giggle.. I have a heck of a time trying to capture good shots at my cats and dog. I gave up went back to photographing flowers. This morning was such a beautiful morning a gentle happiness came all over me as I realize that it is the little thing that lead to the road of happiness.

LITTLE ROAD TO HAPPINESS

The little road to happiness, they are not hard to find;
They do not lead to great success-but to a quiet mind.
They do not lead to mighty power, nor to substantial wealth.
They bring one to a book, a flower, a song of cheer and health.
The little roads to happiness are free to everyone;
They lead one to the wind's caress, to kiss of friendly sun.
These little roads are shining white, for all the world to see;
Their sign-boards, pointing left and right, are love and sympathy.
The Little roads of happiness have the most charming way;
No matter where they twist and wind through fields of rich delight,
They're always of the self same mind to lead us home at night.
~Wilhelmina Stitch

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him re-frain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
1 Peter 3:10

Have a wonderful day!

BOSS HOSS ~ Hayfork

Here we are back in Hayfork Mike is driving our Boss Hoss trike up our driveway. We are getting ready to go on another road trip just for the day.

Oh what sites we will see what stories we can come up with. We live in one of the most beautiful spots of California we just love it up here.

When we ride we feel free with the wind blowing through us the dirt n the grid of the vehicles that passes us or we pass them it all gets into our skin and clothes. There is just something about riding a motorcycle rather it is a 2-wheel or a 3-wheel motorcycle we have a blast. We just happen to own both. You never know were we go what we see or who we visit with.

What we have discover in our rode trips there are some very interesting people and places to see.

BOSS HOSS ~ Trinity Lake

The country side is just beautiful this time of the year. Mike and I rode up around Trinity Lake we were quiet surprise seeing this lake so low. The locals were driving down this boat ramp to get to the river and the lake. They were having so much fun down there.

This boat ramp is where the river runs into the lake. It is so sad to see how low this lake is. This lake filters on down to the Lewiston Lake which is kept full. We are hoping the snow on the Trinity Alps will be enough to fill up Trinity Lake. Not sure that is going to happen the lake is so low, oh my, so low. You could see around the lake there has been some logging going on. On this trip around the lake were were bliss to see a Bald Eagle and to see a nest on top of a tree. As you can see we desperately need more rain if not snow to fill our rivers and lakes here in Northern California.

BOSS HOSS ~ A Song within my Heart continue....

Our hearts are still singing. We have been so happy, out riding around this weekend. What sites we have seen. I took a picture of a child shoe on a post off of Hwy 36 it had been there for a while. You wonder why it was there were was it's partner it looked so weathered and warn. As it is setting out there all alone in the country side you wonder what this little shoe has seen who came to visit a skunk maybe a coyote or a rabbit a mouse did they stop and say hello as this little shoe sit on a post watching the world go by. How many cars stop by and never saw this little shoe sitting all alone on the fence post. The stories this little shoe could tell..............

Boss Hoss - A Song Within My Heart contuine.....

Oh what a glorious day. Mike and I rode around 300 miles today. We got the bug, tomorrow we will be going out again. While riding today I was thinking how Mike and I like the simple things in life how we have so much fun! It reminded me of this poem.

LITTLE THINGS

It's just the little homely things,
The unobtrusive, friendly things,
The "wont-you-let-me-help-you" things
That make our pathway light-
And it's just the jolly, joking things,
The "never-mind-the-trouble" things,
The "laugh-with-me, it's funny" things
That make the world seem bright.

For all the countless famous things,
The wondrous, record-breaking things,
Those"never-can-be-equalled" things
That all the paper cite,
Aren't like the little human things,
The everyday-encountered things,
The "just-because-I-like-you" things
That make us happy quite.

So here's to all the simple things,
The dear "all-in-a-day's-work" things,
The "smile-and-face-your-troubles" things,
Trust God to put them right!
The "done-and-then-forgotten" things,
The "can't-you-see-I-love-you" things,
The hearty "I-am-with-you" things
That make life worth the fight
~Author Unknown

It is pure simple things that Mike and I enjoy doing the most. We load up take a ride on our motorcycle, stop here in there taking photographs of sites of interest. It is that companionship that we cherish the most with each other. Oh what a beautiful fun day it was, put a song within my heart. See ya later......

Boss Hoss - A Song Within My Heart

This is one of those days when everything went right. This morning my yard is a happy one, the birds were at the feeder having breakfast singing their little hearts out. My cats Tabby and Bobby try their best to catch one of those lovely birds. Not sure if that is ever going to happen their hunting skills are lacking. Must be all that good food I feed them. Hubby fusses he wants them to catch gophers so far those gophers are not looking interesting to them ..giggle.. Such a beautiful day we will be taking off riding our Boss Hoss trike. You say what is a Boss Hoss Trike it is 3 wheeler with 355 horse power corvet engine that rumbles between your legs. Has a turbo hydro 350 automatic transmission and its ALL MINE! I do share it with hubby and we do take turns driving it too.
Here I am driving this beauty my husband is wonderful riding on the back. The guys do give him a bad time when they see me driving it with him on the back. We have so much fun with this trike to be fair guess I should show a picture of him driving it too. Ooops! It's me again ..giggle.. did I tell you this is my Boss Hoss!

So excited that spring is here weather nice we are off for a joy ride.......see ya later!

Art ~ ATC

THE ART OF ZENTANGLE

ATC's

You may be wondering what is ATC it's Artist Trading Cards. They are cards that are made to the size of 2.5 by 3.5 which Artist draw or paint on them. Some even make collages in these size. I've have seen fabric, metal, clay artist cards too. It is a great way of making friends and collecting all sorts or different medium cards. I love making atc. As you can see I have atc that I have drawn or painted made into collages even fabric now I am considering metal. Already picked up my supplies for that. Here you see a card that I did in a Zentangle drawing. I think it is so funny that doodling been given such a fancy name. I love to doodle it is so relaxing. I have come up with several different styles of doodling some time I like to add color to my piece other times I don't. My doodling is all done in ink. You say you can not draw, well, doodle instead. You may want to join the world of ATC's and do some trading with us.

Photography

Do you like to take photograph? I do, I have been taking pictures for years. Sometimes they are good other times well not so good. Last summer my husband and I would walk around the reservoir in the early mornings. It was just beautiful! As we walk along I kept seeing beautiful sites for taking pictures but I didn't want to bring my camera it isn't the smallest thing. Not to say we were suppose to be walking around the reservoir to get some exercise.But as the days pass on I just couldn't resist and ended up bringing my Nikon camera with me several times. I don't know what was worse walking up n down those hills around the reservoir or walking around slowly carrying a heavy camera. ..giggle.. This year I am going to have to figure out an easier way of carrying my camera. For I know there is going to be another perfect picture that I am going to have to take. As you can see in these two pictures that there are so many different views to behold. One day as hubby and I walk around the reservoir we were lucky to see an eagle dip down to catch a fish. It was just beautiful leave it to me to have my camera in the case. ..*smile*.. It will always be in my mind though!

Doll ~ The Rag Doll

Today my little friend spoke to me she was a little rag doll that I created a long time ago. She wanted to be re-adjusted in her chair as she gaze at the sunshine filtering through the windows. Rosa Lee is her name.

Rosa Lee is just a little rag doll. She is base on the old fashion painted rag doll of the past. The early Americans want a doll for their children where they could play with them without breaking. Some of the mothers who were talented in the Arts started experimenting with the simple rag doll painting their heads, arms n legs with oil paints. They were a hit, and some went on to make them to sale. This is a "Collector" doll not a toy for a child to play with.

THE RAG DOLL

Liza's just a rag doll,
Old and awful lookin';
I don't like her any more,
She's going to get forsooken.

What I want's a jointy doll
With hair and pretty dresses,
Instead of these old woolly things
That look such awful messes.

Yet, Liza is a good doll,
And such a quiet sleeper;
She never breaks or comes apart-
I guess I'd better keep her!
-Junius L. Cravens

Rag dolls are special the are warm n cuddly you always have someone to tell your secrets too. ..*smile*..

Art ~ATC Here We Go Again!

It's funny how little things in life makes a person wonder about them selves. Here I am trying with all my might to draw a portrait from a photograph from a magazine. I have spent hours sketching, erasing adding a shadow here n there still I do not have it quiet right. Back to the drawing board ..sigh.. take a look below, well back to the drawing board. Do you think I'll ever get this figure out! I started taking these drawing lessons here in my little neck of the woods. My goal was to learn how to draw realistic faces for my cloth dolls that I make. Well once I started drawing I discover that I really love it and I've been trying to draw ever since. My friend Diane kept telling me about this Artist Trading Card group now name ATCsforALL where you design cards that are 2.5 x 3.5 and trade them with fellow Artist. It is there that I discover that there is a lot more to just trading. I'm having a blast. I am in a Portrait Drawing Group hence the portrait up above. We are to draw a Reaslim Portrait, a Art History Portrait and Your Own Style from this one portrait. ..giggle.. I think I started with my own style first! I'll have to keep you updated on these drawings so come back!

Poem ~ The Human Touch

Oh my what a day! The sun is out the birds are singing the grass is growing and the flowers are beginning to bloom. What a glorious day it is. Been a tad busy around here running to n fro. I have taken a quiet moment to do some reflecting and read one of my favorite poems.

THE HUMAN TOUCH

"Tis the human touch in this world that counts,
The touch of your hand and mine,
Which means far more to the fainting heart
The shelter and bread and wine;
For shelter is gone when the night is o'er,
And bread lasts only a day,
But the touch of the hand and the sound of the voice
Sing on in the soul away.

by SPENCER MICHAEL FREE

I feel so refresh now! It's time to get moving and see what else I can get into before the day is over with. See ya latter.