NOW FOR SALE

NOW FOR SALE - VERY LIMITED (only 5 will be sold) EDITION framed prints. AVAILABLE at http://www.scatteredmomentos.etsy.com/.

What a great weekend! Art, great food, old and new friends, chocolate flan, no kids, no husbands, fun swaps.... I'm happily exhausted. Here's a couple of pieces I made in Karyn Gartel's "A colorful Past" workshop. I love how they turned out! Such a fun class. I'll post more later, but for now I must reconnect with the real world:(.

Photos used in the above collages were taken from my SCATTERED MOMENTOS COLLAGE SHEETS - "Cutie Patooties" and " Sugar and Spice".

Check this website out!

I discovered this great website yesterday. This site supports indie artisans and craftsmen. They get 1800 views per day. One of my pins was featured on their "daily ditties" feature from my Etsy shop. Go to www.wickedlychic.com. Support the independent artists and craftsmen!

New items on Etsy

I have a new batch of items listed on Etsy with more to come. My scanner is finally working again!

Enjoy.

See! I TOLD you I'm Funny!

As a SAHM, accolades are few and far between - I feel like a pretty good mom on Mother's Day.
Aside from that, there's always that nagging feeling that I'm not a good enough mom. I should be more fun, cook more nutritious meals, volunteer for more field trips, keep a cleaner home (not to mention van!), plan more educational outings....

However, whenever I get those Mother's Day cards telling me why I'm such a great mom, my kids always say I'm funny. (then again, two of my kids ( the boys) think bodily noise humor is HILARIOUS.)

So, I was really excited when I received the news that I am a finalist in the Columbus Dispatch caption writing contest. FINALLY, something tangible that reinforces my belief that I am indeed the funniest mom in the entire universe. AFTER ALL, a PROFESSIONAL funny guy chose my caption out of over a thousand entries to be one of 11 finalists.

Anyhoo, if you would like to see my entry and decide for yourself, then go to www.dispatch.com/caption. I'm Lennea Truesdell, age 40 for those of you who only know me as Once Upon a Cottage.

3.75 days of quiet left

Every year it catches me by surprise. THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. I mean, I know it's coming - and yet, as the day approaches, I find myself going through the stages of grief. Ya know: denial, anger, something, something... I usually make it to acceptance about 2 days before school starts again in August.

I don't know if the last day of school is on the "list of life stressors" ( you know the one, death of a spouse = 10 pts., moving= 9 pts, marriage = 9 pts, etc. etc.) but it should be. I'd give it 8 pts. - only because it doesn't require a funeral or a moving van. It does send me into a state of shock and panic for several weeks.

I admit there are some good things about summer break- sleeping late, no homework to oversee, no daily trips to the school, no rushing to find school shoes in the am. And I really DO like my kids - they're great. I just like them MORE in smaller doses. Does that make me a bad mother? sighhh....

It's just that I really like solitude. I like quiet. I like hours of uninterrupted - whatever.

But, ready or not here it comes. Teenagers draped on the couch or attached to the computer, 8 year old boys running amok thru the house. Food disappearing at alarming rates. Dirty Dishes ALWAYS in the sink. Someone ALWAYS hungry.

As usual, I put all my hope for sanity into church camps, summer gym and sleepovers AT OTHER KIDS HOUSES.

Happy summer, mother's everywhere! May God Bless you and Keep you...
Lennea

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I saw this art doll kit from www.artgirlz.com and just had to have it! I've been getting a little too serious with my art lately and this was just the thing to have fun with and lighten up! I had so much fun making this whimsical doll. I don't usually use these bright colors in my art - so it was fun to play with new colors. When I was done, my 12 year old daughter asked if she could have it ( she never wants anything I make!) so I was thrilled. Then her 14 year old sister wanted one, so I have another kit ordered. It was so much fun making something that my teenage daughters appreciate ( i.e. something funky).

Have a creative Day!

Muwahahahaha!

I tag
Kecia
Shakey Sister
Jay
Valerie
Crystal
Karyn
Kim

You must write 7 random things about yourself and then tag 7 other people to visit your blog for instructions to write 7 random things about themselves and tag 7 more people! If you don't comply, the blog police will shut down your blog and take away your computer;)

SEVEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME!

Ok... I've been tagged by Krissy and Laurie (and no, Laurie, I do NOT have to write 14 things!) I am the Queen of my Blog and make my own rules :)! ANYWAY...

7 Random Things about me...

1) I was adopted as a newborn. One of the greatest gifts anyone has given me is the gift of a stable family by my birth mother.

2) I NEVER thought I'd live in a small town. Now, I live in a town of 1200 people. Proof that God has a sense of humor!

3) Tomorrow is a day of mourning for my family. It is the last episode of Gilmore Girls. First Cosby, then Cheers, Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends, Everwood and now this. Oy, with the poodles, Already! ( if you are a fellow Gimore Girls fan, you will get this - if not, you missed out on one of the wittiest, fast talking, best shows ever on tv!)

4) I dream of spending a month alone on a private island. I need a chef and a housekeeper, my books, a ton of art supplies, my Bible and a collection of my favorite cd's. I really love solitude and never have enough of it. When I was a kid, I could spend hours up in my favorite tree, reading or just thinking and dreaming.

5) I take a nap almost every day. I don't apologize for it anymore.

6) I also no longer apologize for my messy house and van. That's the great thing about turning 40 - I no longer feel like I have to apologize for being the real me.

7) My first husband died when I was 31. My kids were 2 months old, 4yrs and 5 yrs. I have never felt God's presence more than that first year after his death. Everything I had come to rely on of this world had fallen away. I had God and my family and friends. And that was enough. Since then, the worries and distractions of this world have crept back into my life. I sometimes miss that bittersweet time in my life. But, I now know that whatever happens, God's strength and grace is enough.

AMEN!

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" Quote from Jay Leno

Metal Sampler

I made these metal samplers at Artiscape in Cheryl Darrow's class. She's the owner of Ten Seconds studio which sell wonderful tools and materials for creating with sheet metal. It's very addicting! I'm thinking pins, magnets, book covers, ornaments...

I'll Be wearing THIS!

Good day all my Ladies of Charms! Artiscape is just 4 days away!!!!!!! I'll be the one wearing THIS! as per my previous e-mail. It only took me 15 minutes to whip up. well,umm...maybe 30 minutes to whip up. OK! It took me about an hour to make but I must say I do look FABULOUS in it!

ARTISCAPE COUNTDOWN

2 piano lessons

2 track meets

one birthday

send one child to 3 day camp

prepare teenager for Washington D.C. trip next week

3 bills to pay

art supplies to pack

finish swap items

lose 30 pounds!

lose 1 pound???

SEE YOU THERE!

Charm Swap Prizes!!!!!

For all my Ladies of Charms at Artiscape, here is a photo of our door prizes! I spy...optician's lenses, milk caps, pink dress measurement card, antique frozen Charlotte dolls, vintage travel postcards, vintage yellow binding fabric and collage sheets!!!!

You will pick your prize at Artiscape based on the order that you leave comments here! So leave your comment NOW! Remember to sign your name and e-mail i.d. so I know who you are!
Your Most Honorable and Lovely Queen of Charms,
lennea

New Doll photos

My new doll celebratin Moms!

I made a new doll today that I just LOVE! I started with old rusted bedsprings for the base and an antique china doll head. I then added nine charms to the base. Two charms are Sally Jean charms from my old boutique with a photo reproduction of a boy taking a bath and a mom. I also added an old fuse collaged with an old dictionary text word "mother", an old fillagree piece, a chandalier crystal, an old button from Grandma's stash, a silver prayer box, and two silver hearts one which has mom etched on it. I draped an antique lace ribbon around the shoulders and through the body and added an old silver button to the bodice. I finished her with an antique key plate for wings. Every mother should have wings!!!

She is for sale at my website www.scatteredmomentos.com

ORIGINAL Scattered Momentos Collage Sheets

I have 8 new collage sheets on my website www.scatteredmomentos.com

As a collage artist, I`m always looking for unique images to use in my collages. I`ve put together my favorites for you!All collage sheets are printed on high quality photo paper.Collage sheets are printed on an inkjet printer and the images are heat set. Inkjet prints allow you to use a variety of transfer methods in your artwork. Collage sheets are arranged by theme. Use in your collage art, scrapbooking or mixed media art! All images may be digitally altered and resized. I only ask that you use each image only once. I have spent a great deal of time collecting and putting together these collage sheets. For a great transfer technique please go to www.art-e-zine.co.uk/imagepaper.html This technique works wonderfully with our Scattered Momentos Collage sheets. All collage sheets are $5.00 each. There is a 2 sheet minimum.

Check back often as I will be listing the following collage sheets: Vintage Circus, Vintage Ladies, Staircases, windowseats and benches, Vintage Hymnal, Vintage Books, Scripture Verses, a variety of quote sheets, Antique Cars, Old Planes and Trains, Vintage Carousel and MORE!

If you have an idea for a collage sheet you would like me to put together - let me know! I enjoy researching and hunting for great old photos and ephemera!

Christ is Risen

Inspired by Easter. He is Risen! Hallelujah. This piece may be purchased on my website www.scatteredmomentos.com

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

I created this for the ZNE style try- chic and shabby style. One of my favorite styles! - lovely pastels, vintage images, antiqued, well loved.

This piece was created on an 8x10 wrapped canvas. I created this using a vintage photo transfer, layers of acrylic paints and inks, a lovely vintage blue satin ribbon, an old button from Grandma's stash, Text from an old hymnal and a hanger made with lots of old buttons. The main colors are sea blue, taupe, cream. You may purchase this piece on ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290102577139

ZNE DESIGN TEAM!!!!!

WOOHOO! I am sooooo excited I may wet myself :). I have been chosen to be a member of the first ever ZNE DESIGN TEAM! Those of you not familiar with ZNE - it is the BEST website for mixed media, collage and outsider artists. Members of the zne design team will be creating art using collage pages from the ZNE STORE. www.znestore.com/designteam.html