Some Good News...I've been published!

I have 3 pieces of art in the Feb./March issue of Somerset Studio's Stamper's Sampler!!!
Whoo hooo...


The art challenge was to alter clothing tags and make them into cards...! All three cards were made by altering jeans tags...What a fun idea!
I really enjoyed this challenge :0)...and of course it really is a lot of fun to see my pieces in print for the first time!!



Hmmm, now what else can I find around here to alter??!!!!

Valentine's Day wishes! XXXOOO

Valentine's Day wishes! XXXOOO
Originally uploaded by createdbyamber.

Wishing that your day will be filled with hugs and kisses and lots of chocolate LOL!!!

Lot's of LOVE and and blessings to all my friends...

...these are some of my ATC's and Altered postcards on Flickr...

Update on Josh...Joshua’s courage, strength, and faith may be a beacon of hope to all those that knew him

I am sad to say that Josh Phillips has passed from this Earth, into the loving care of our Heavenly Father...His little life was short and although we might never have all the answers here in this world, I believe that there is a reason for everything...His life had a purpose and he touched all those who knew him and knew of him... (this is a picture of him before he got sick)

His parents and brothers are still in need of all our prayers...
I am sure it is a difficult thing to lose a child, or someone you love...I can only imagine how hard it is when holidays or birthdays come up...
Although I have never lost a child, I have lost a father...and though we were never all that close, when he passed away it left a small space in my heart that was only his...It has been many years now but every Feb. 22nd I remember his birthday and miss him...

Josh's family has asked that all donations be given here: Full of Hope... 111 East Citrus Avenue Redlands, CA 92373
The Full of Hope Fund was created in remembrance of Joshua Dylan Phillips who passed away after courageously battling Burkett's Lymphoma. This Fund will provide continuing hope and support to the families with children braving the fight against pediatric cancer. All monetary donations and other contributions made in memory of Joshua will be used to assist families with the many challenges endured during this difficult time, including, but not limited to medical bills and other financial hardships, and child-emphasized, hospital entertainment equipment. Pediatric cancer is the number one disease-related cause of death in children in the United States. No matter the amount of your gift, it can help make a difference in the lives of families who need it most.

Also an update on the quilt auction...

My sweet friend Chelise from variaZioNE had the winning bid on my art quilt...She has offered to generously donate the funds to Full of Hope, and is planning on setting up a Lottery for the art quilt...It will give those of you that missed the auction one more chance to bid on the art quilt (with of course all money going to Full of Hope )and as a bonus I am donating an altered art mini purse to be included with the winner...I will post more as the details unfold, right now they are in the planning stages...

LOVE...

LOVE
Originally uploaded by paperwhimsycollagegallery.

My current ATC entry for the Paper Whimsy "Very Special Valentine" challenge...

Help for a little boy with cancer

Dear friends,
I have listed an art quilt on Ebay for the sole purpose of helping a family who is in financial need because of their small son Josh who is 7, is sick with Burkett's Lymphoma...
The 7 year old nephew of a neighbor of mine, Josh, was diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago. He has two brothers, Riley (almost 9) and Tyler (3 1/2). Josh has been through tons of treatments and a bone barrow transplant (his little brother was the perfect match!). Needless to say, his family has been through a traumatic ordeal, and many ups and downs. They have been told he is cured from cancer two different times. The saddest news of all took place just two days before Christmas. Josh's parents were told his cancer was back and all over his liver and gall bladder. Doctors said there was nothing they could do to save this little boy's life.
Josh is in a lot of pain right now (we were told he has just a week or so left to live). He wants his dad by his side every minute. Because of this special request, Josh's dad has decided to not go back to work right now. Josh believes in Jesus, and the family's faith is absolutely amazing and inspiring. However, Josh is afraid to die. What little child wouldn't be? He won't take naps by himself because he does not want to be alone - ever!
Why am I sharing this sad news? I was just informed their family is starting to see some major financial struggles. With John (Josh's dad) not working, and all their medical bills, money is starting to get very tight. I would love to find a way to help this family-
I realized that this can happen to any of us at any time. I know I would appreciate help. Thank you, in advance, for your support and time.
Please feel free to pass this along to all your friends or groups as I would like to donate a good chunk of money to their family in their time of need...
Blessings,"
Amber Heagerty

I've been thinking...

I have two different styles of art that I create...

The first being "Intuitive"... I have a general idea or maybe a challenge to work from...Then I pull out from my supply, papers, paint and embellishments that I think will fit my theme...Then I usually create a background first, add a main focal image, then add embellishments and/or text to finish my art...


The second being...I have a definate idea, I make a rough sketch, I go out and purchase supplies and then get to work making my design...

In the first way or the "intuitive" way, the fun for me is in the actual creating...The waiting to see what I come up with or how the piece turns out...

The second way, the "definitive" way, the fun for me is in the dreaming up and planning the idea...The actual creating is a little more precise and less exciting but far more satisfying when my piece is completed...

Which way do you create??? I would love to hear your style of creating!

As promised...photos of my assemblage!

Here is a photo of me in front of the Gallery...It was about 10 degrees that night and I flung off my coat and my Hubby snapped the shot... LOL!


It took me a while to get some photos uploaded of my assemblage pieces because my digital is on the fritz...actually one of the photos is overexposed, so maybe I can upload it at a later time...

This is my found art assemblage titled "Within"...

It started out on a 1 1/2" deep edge gallery wrap canvas...On top of that I added a sculpted and painted wire mesh layer...then an altered and painted nubby textured paper layer...then a found wooden disc with vintage brass door knob piece...found object filigree accent with vintage B4 bingo button...burnt matchsticks and feather wings...
Below is a vintage ruler piece and vintage bingo dots and old key...

...check out my link on Nov. 30th for more details if interested :0)

A few more ATC's for trade...

I have 3 more ATC's for trade...and would love to find them a good home!!! Just email me or post a comment if you are interested :0)

Artists Trading Card ATC swap

I found this cool swap on
Joyce Vance's blog








I thought...Hey why not, I have some ATC's needing a new home...Here are 4 for you to choose from...

The bottom ATC says"They can conquer who believe they can" Virgil

Just send me an email or leave me a comment if you would like to trade.

An Old Year to reflect on...A New Year to celebrate!

This past year has brought many changes and challenges...
Reflecting on where I've been this past year and where I wish to go in the year ahead, I would have to say I've come a long way!
Last year at this time I wasn't sure where my art would lead...I made some plans and set some goals and am happy to say that several of my goals have been met this past year and a few more goals will be completed in the upcoming months!
I have also met some very special art friends that have become very near and dear!!!

Do any of you make New Year's Resolutions? I usually don't, or maybe I should I say I haven't in a very long while...
...I want to make a positive change toward my health this coming year ..First, I want to exercise more consistantly... second, watch what I eat a little closer...and third be a little more organized...
I thought if I posted this that it might somehow make me more accountable :0) ...

I am really looking forward to what this New Year brings!!!

I would love to hear from you and feel free to post your own New Year's Resolutions so that we may encourage one another and keep the friendship growing!!!

Many happy Blessings in the New Year...
Hugs,
Amber


...I am offering some ATC's on Ebay at end of the year clearance prices...if interested click on my Ebay "About Me" link off to the right and it will take you there :0) Thanks so much!

Time for a change

You might have noticed that I have changed the color of my Blog...
I wasn't satisfied with the other color...and every time I logged in, I just didn't get that welcome feeling...Sooo, I decided on blue...I hope you LIKE it and I think it will be a more inviting color to live with year 'round!

This is an altered postcard I made for a swap in my Paper Whimsy group using a Paper Whimsy image....I started with a flash card base that says LIKE and added the german scrap bee and edged it in gold leaf pen...Sweet and simple!

I've been tagged by Kat...6 weird things about me???!

Boy...to be perfectly honest here I would think that I fall under the STRANGE or DORKY catagory...But you may think I'm weird...so here it goes!!!

1.I absolutely will NOT eat tuna with tomatoes...it makes me physically ill...I think it has to do with a chemical reaction in my system or something but it is NASTY!!!!

2. I would rather organize than clean any day!!! I love to start a new project...my curiosity gets the best of me and before I know it I am sorting and organizing in a flurry...but put a duster in my hand and I freeze! It really drives DH crazy!!!!

3. Because I have red hair my eyelashes are almost non-existant without mascara...I never leave the house without it and only a handful of people have seen me without it on!...(they always stare and ask if I am feeling OK??!!) LOL

4.My hands are not pretty...I like to wear my fingernails short and often they are not manacured...I admire people who have beautiful nails and hands but by the time paint wedges itself under my nails or around the nail bed or glue glazes itself over my fingers...it just isn't a pretty sight!!!

5. I don't know when someone is being sarcastic with me...I guess you could say that I'm kind of gullible (at least that's what DH calls it)...I have kind of a straight forward personality and don't understand when someone is teasing me...I do have a great sense of humor though...just don't do sarcasm!

6. I twist my hair...when I'm especially tired or stressed...you will find me generally twisting my hair...(a habit from childhool I guess) ...I tend not to do it in public though, LOL!!!

I guess that's it...You can decide what you think of me :0) Hopefully you have found something that you can relate to... or smile at!!!

Thank you Kat, that was fun!!! Now who to tag next! I'll have to think about it and post them a little later :0)
OK I tag Lisa, Tejae, Rella, Gale and Cara

Make a snowflake

Remember when you were young and made paper snowflakes? They seemed so exciting...all the folding and cutting and then like magic a wonderful snowflake appeared before your eyes? We used to tape them to our windows and it just added such a warmth to our house peering through those little lacy creations...
Today my two son's and I found this interactive site that you can make digi-snowflakes...It's really quite addictive! http://http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/
My boys (and I) played around on the site for a while taking turns but they eventually wanted to get out the paper and scissors and make the "real" ones!
They are now decorating our windows and reminding me of the simple joys of being a child!!!

"Nature is full of genius, full of the Divinity, so that not a Snowflake escapes its fashioning hand"
Henry David Thoreau

Random Act of Kindness

I received the most incredible RAK (random act of kindness) from a very talented artist Pamela Brackett... http://www.pamelabrackett.com/
Pamela very generously sent me this beautiful clay button ornament that she said she made from inspiration from an article in the new Somerset Studio Workshop 2 book.
Pamela you are an awesome artist...thank you so much for your wonderful gift!!!

My art in Mirror Pond Gallery

I just got notice that my 2 altered art/assemblage pieces were accepted into the juried art show called Small Works Exhibit at Mirror Pond Gallery in Bend. http://www.mirrorpondgallery.org/exhibits.htm
This is the coolest gallery in town and I am honored to have been accepted.
They are having an artists reception along with an art walk on Friday night Dec. 1st . and I can't wait to be there :0) I forgot to take photos before I dropped off my pieces, so I will have my honey take some for me on Friday.
The show runs through January 2nd. Wish me luck!!!

ATC...Theme challenge: Crowns and Flowers

"What it is to be a child"
...an ATC using a Paper Whimsy image...The monthly lottery theme challenge is crowns and flowers...
I wanted to portray the innocence of
childhood...

I Love Artchix!

I entered the ArtChix Faux Winter postage contest (from the ArtChix Yahoo group)!!! My winning Faux postage ATC is #12 ... http://www.artchixstudio.com/mall/p311.asp

Here is more info. on the entries and the artists http://www.artchixstudio.com/mall/p311_info.asp

Also ArtChix is celebrating their 5th anniversary and here are some entries ( including 3 of mine )

http://www.artchixstudio.com/gallery/gfiveyear.htm

I really love contests and challenges and this was a really fun one!!!

Altered and textured

The first textured paper was from a RAK/ game...
It called out to me to play...
I layered several different colors of green and turquois paint...
Plaster paste...
Metalic Lumiere paints and finally some walnut ink!
I really liked the way it turned out and will be using it in an assemblage that I plan to work on soon.

Twilight at Sea...altered post card

This is my current work...an altered post card with Artchix black swan wings and many layers of paint and embellishments...


SOLD, Thank you!

HGTV's Shannon Quimby

Last weekend was a beautiful if not slightly chilly Autumn day and my husband, son and I headed down to Drake Park along the river to walk through the Antique Fair...
I found several special finds that I'm sure will show up in my art in a future project, but I think the most special thing that I found was a new acquaintence...At one of the booths was a very friendly and wonderfully creative person named Shannon Quimby...Shannon was at the Antique Fair to promote her new book and do a book signing...After a brief introduction, we realized that we had much in common and both loved to create...She was one of those kind of people that you wished lived next door or down the block so you could drop in and visit over a cup of tea and swap stories...It was a delight to meet her and before we left she signed a copy of my newly purchased book...Her book is called Color, Create, Decorate...She has been featured on HGTV and will be having her own show on HGTV in the near future...http://www.shannonquimby.com/
One of my favorite things in her book was putting a drinking fountain in her house for little ones...Just think how many glasses you wouldn't have to wash!
I hope to run into you again Shannon! It was so nice to meet you :0)