Funky Art Queen

I was surfing blogs and I found this really fabulous blog....and I discovered " Jamie's Wishcasting Wednesdays" .  Today is Wednesday! Wow, I actually arrived on time to something......Today's Wishcast is ..... What Do you Wish For Your Family?  I will answer this challenge in a list format. Peace in their hearts Safety and Security A Passion for Life Someone to love Someone to love them Something to be passionate about-a hobby The knowledge that I, Lesley Chandler loved them more than they will ever know.  What do you wish for your family?

"We can do no great things...only small things with great love." Mother Teresa There it is! Eureka! Ah-Ha! Elation, joy, and excitement, lights flashing, trumpets blowing! I get it! I get it! I finally get it and I'm so exited about this revelation that I can hardly write it down fast enough so that I can share it with you later on my blog. "It" has been in front of me all this time. My favorite quote, for so many years, has finally revealed to me my truth, my meaning.....the answer to the constant nagging questions burning in my heart.....Will I ever do something great?......Isn't there something far greater that God intended for me to do with my life? While asking myself these same old questions today, this quote came into my mind very strong. "Small things.....Great love". Boom! It hit me! Stop pushing so hard for that ONE GREAT THING.....that great craft book, the greatest piece of art ever, you get what I mean. Take every day and every little ...

I saw this news cast a few weeks ago and I was so excited.....you know how I love the Polaroid camera. Looks like someone is going to start making film that will work with the Polaroids. Take a look at this CBS newscast from August 30th . I never learned how to do Polaroid transfers! I have two old Polaroid cameras that still work and need film! I have like 5 pics left on one of them that I hate to use for any old pics! I love Polaroids! So Hip Hip Hooray for the people that are attempting to start up again. I will buy film from you. Did you ever have a Polaroid Camera? Do you have any Polaroid pics that you would like to share? I think it would be fun to do a polaroid pic challenge....what do you think? I would love to see them. Also, there is actually a Flickr photo sight where you can actually share real Polaroid photos. ...(don't even try to share faux Polaroids (you know the digital kind)....they will eat you up! CHANGING SUBJECTS! (Kinda) OMG! I'm so excited about my trip...

I'm already missing my blog and blog friends, what was I thinking? Don't know! I'm just meant to blog I think. What is wrong with me~!??? I just think I'm going through this whole, "I suck" thing since my book was rejected.... pity party....etc. and that is so not me. But, on a positive note, it has caused me to look closer at where I'm going with my creative life. I'm becoming more and more aware that life is about the journey and not the destination. Oh, I have heard that all my life but I'm finally getting it. My greatest joy comes from the creative process, talking about creating, and listening/seeing/reading about those who live the creative life. Today, I heard the best podcast on Craftsanity #39 about Laurie Bee ( a purse designer in Seattle). She talked about how in the beginning she loved so many crafts but she knew that she would have to narrow down to one subject or thing to be successful. Anyway, if you get a chance to listen to it,...

This is my newest piece of art. I was still inspired by Pam Carriker's article in CPS. I love the whole modeling paste thing. I was really concerned that some people use molding paste and some use modeling paste until yesterday I read in CPS (someone else's article...forgive me as I can't remember) that these are the same thing. Golden calls it "molding" and liquitex calls it "modeling". Any way, mystery solved! Yay! I want a big ole bucket of the stuff. Oh the texture it adds-love love love it!!! By the way, the substrate was a 12"X12" piece of wood. I love working on wood because of the durability. I was also inspired by Sharon Tomlinson's article in the Jan-Feb issue of CPS about using paper napkins in your art. (Page 62). The flowers in the top left are from paper napkins. Oh, they are so translucent. I want to experiment more with putting print behind them and layering more like she suggests in her article. Anyway, it is a good messag...

Literally! Funky Finds turned out really nice except for the heat. There was no air conditioning! As you can see, everyone was hot, even "Pete" this cute and smart puppy. He belonged to Loop and Lil . I just got home a few hours ago. I had such a good time with my friends Lisa and Renea. Renea and her husband Barry were the greatest hosts. Look at me trying to look cute in the middle. I'm such a poser~! I sold a little bit and met a lot of very nice people. All in all, it was a great time. We met so many nice people and networked with several savy artists and shop owners. One lady even invited Renea to teach some art technique workshops at her mixed media store. I can't wait to do something like this again. Lisa's Booth Mine and Renea's Booth

Dumpster Diving Diva Yes, I have to say, I probably looked something like this yesterday. I'm hoping that my bo - hiney did not look so much like this one though. OK, are you ready for this Lucy Ricardo story? It was Monday and I was working. I parked in the hospital parking lot and was going to go in and market to all the social workers. I spotted a trash dumpster and decided I should take advantage of that and clean the trash out of my car. (When you work out of your car...you are constantly cleaning trash out). So, I gathered up all trash and proudly walked over to the dumpster that I was parked so close to. I'm always so proud of myself for making do on the run. I proudly released my trash into the dumpster and before it hit the bottom I realized I also released my car keys! DANG IT! I could see them but for the life of me, I could not reach them. First, I looked all around for witnesses (none) so I dipped in slightly with my arm reaching as far as it could.....no go. Not ...

Enjoying The Koi Pond at Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast Lesley Chandler...a.k.a. Funky Art Queen reporting here live from Fredericksburg, Texas. We are here at the Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast enjoying the peace and tranquility in the cozy little Magnolia Room (the finest suite in the Magnolia House). We are status post shopping till we drop and eating until we pop. It has been the most wonderful (much needed) little weekend getaway. I think Ms. Heather needed this little escape as much as we did....she has not stopped smiling since we left home. She had so much fun shopping downtown. She found herself a cute little t-shirt (pink of course) and a blingy set of earrings, and a blingy pink ring. Then we took her to a little cemetary in town that had many old, old grave stones. She took lots of pics. She was clearly enjoying herself so much. This is Craig enjoying the living room at the Magnolia House. Our room. Yawn!.....Can't wait to snuggle up in this comfy bed.

Christmas is fast approaching......before you know it, St. Nick will have come and gone....cookies in his pockets...milk to go please. For some reason I was telling Renea ( Pocket Full of Pretty's ) about this photo of me and my step brother sitting on Santa's lap. I did not have this photo but I remembered it being in my mother's collection of pictures. I emailed my mom and she did all the hunting and scanning and sent it to me---thanks Mom. Mom tells me I was "3" and brother was "5". It just really made me happy to see this.....and a little sad. I miss "little" Ronnie. Anyway, I would love to see your favorite "Christmas Long Ago"pictures. Hmmmm......sounds like a good idea for a contest. Let's do it! A CHRISTMAS LONG AGO CONTEST Here are the rules! Prize INFO At the Bottom of this post! 1. Blog the photo from your favorite "Christmas Long Ago" and tell the story 2. Put a link to my blog in that entry and tell three ot...

Well, I'm kind of in a creative funk again. I hate it when this happens! I'm so glad that next weekend I am going to Fredricksberg, TX again to the trade days. I know it will inspire me in all kinds of directions. Meanwhile, while I am trying to get my groove back........I have been making a lot of little short term projects in the paper department. I made this little posey pin from faux vintage post/letters etc papers from the scrapbooking department. I actually wore it yesterday on my jacket. Then I spotted this book on Fabric Flowers by Elizabeth Helene Searle at the fabric store and I had to get it. I used her instructions to make this first fabric flower. I want to try several of her other flowers instructions. Now, what will I do with them? Who knows? Does it really matter if I am enjoying myself? Probably everyone will get fabric or paper flowers for Christmas! Heehee Have a great day.

I received the above piece of art from my dear friend Donna from Fort Worth. She and I have been conversing via email for a while now and we have become quite good friends. She made this collage by using a photo of me when I was a baby. Apparently, she swiped it from my Flickr. It is so cute and personal. Can you see her fingerprints throughout the piece? Thanks Ms. Donna. You are my friend and muse. Another muse/friend of mine sent me a little special something last week. My friend Marah from California sent me this last week. I feel very spoiled and blessed with friends. I don't know what I would do without my friends. They influence and inspire me so much. Marah is the one that gave me the kick start to get to doing workshops and I have been so fulfilled in doing them. She saw something in me that I did not see. Plus, this is a personal gift because she knows I love my books. So, she sent me a bookmark ( a very special one at that) Thanks Marah! You are my friend and muse.

I had such a lovely birthday. Can I please have at least one day that is my birthday every month? So many of my family and friends called and I heard several renditions of "Happy Birthday". My husband got me two CDs I really wanted and the best birthday card ever. Then my sister called me two times and sang two different versions of Happy Birthday. She sent me a musical birthday card with my favorite get down and get funky song ever....."BrickHouse....she's mighty mighty just letting it all hang out yea she's a brick house".......I'm sure the battery will be run down soon because I keep playing it. My other sister called and sang the birthday song and my Mother also called me and left a voice mail and then when she actually caught me she sang it again. My daughter....well that is the last blog entry. Oh, I love birthdays. Everyone should be so lucky to have such good friends and family. My friends Marisa, Renea, Lisa, and Kim called to wish me a happy bi...

My sweet daughter walked into the kitchen early this morning while I was enjoying my coffee. She had this big gift bag with tissue paper and a birthday card. She begged me to open it today because she could not stand it any longer. I told her that I wanted to wait so I would have a surprise tomorrow (on my actual birthday for any of you who don't know that...)but she looked so anxious for me to open it. So, I did what any mother would do and I opened her precious and thoughtful gift. She got me these warm and comfy slippers from Avon. They even have some kind of smell good stuff in them. The foam on the bottom is so thick so you feel like you are walking on a cloud. My baby girl knows that I have perpetually cold feet and that I needed some slippers. She is my precious angel and I wanted to share her sweet gift with you. This is me enjoying my new slippers. I wonder if they would mind if I wear them to work......hmmmmm-

Happy Sunday! I have been in a funk again. Cried like a baby Friday night-indulged in self pity regarding Cody being gone. I still can't seem to figure out how to deal with this. But, Craig called him at about 10:20 P.M. and Cody talked to me for about 20 minutes. I was so happy to hear him. He sounded great. He is learning so much about computers and about how to live independently. He is sounding more and more like a man-still my son-but a man. Hmmm. He had called me sometime during the week and told me "I miss my family" and he sounded a little depressed. I had already considered flying him home soon so I told him this. He says "Mom...do you realize how much those tickets are?" I was proud to hear him say that but I told him I did not care...he was coming home! He was happy. I think he misses us and perhaps his girlfriend a little more. That's o.k...that is how it is supposed to go huh? My friend Renea says it gets easier and easier so I will just keep pu...

Marisa and I were on the morning show on Channel 9 this a.m. We were so silly that we asked the producer to take a picture of us on the news set. Don't we look like naturals? We were doing a spot for the "Life in a Bottle" kick off tomorrow. It was fun, but....I had to get up extra early to get over to MIdland by 7 a.m. So, I'm a little tired tonight but I have fond memories of mine and Marisa's 10 seconds of fame! Fun Stuff! Les

I have been working on Christmas cards lately. I have painted some on watercolor paper and pasted them to card stock and decorated, etc. I have also done a lot of paper art type cards with stickers and rub ons and such. It has been fun, but it does make the process last a lot longer. The one above, was made for my mother-in-law. I wanted hers to be really special. She has always liked angels and she seems to have developed a little collection of them. So, I thought this would be a good idea. I had no idea how to draw an angel so I found some images on google image search and got inspired. I wasn't crazy about her face. I liked her little wings and the rest was fine. The "PEACE" is a rub on and the words at the bottom were added digitally. Now, I must show you what my 17 year old son got me last night. Monday is my birthday, every year he does something special for me and reminds me of how wonderful and thoughtful he is. He got this cake for me. He made sure it was healthy...

Hey All, I just got back from an art workshop/retreat called " Art and Soul" in the Dallas area. It was a girl's weekend get away for my sister Rhea, my daughter Heather, and me. The Art and Soul workshop was my agenda. Rhea and daughter went to the spa for all kinds of pampering. Art and Soul Oh my gosh! I can't wait to go to another one. My first workshop and I had a blast. I attended the Collage workshop by Claudine Hellmuth! Yes, I met Claudine Hellmuth and she is a gem. She is precious and kind and talented. I could just go on and on. I just really enjoyed this workshop. Here is a picture of me with Claudine. I'm such a dork...I had her sign both of my Claudine Hellmuth books. I learned some new techniques to create a 3d collage. I learned how to cut plexyglass to create a faux glass cover. I learned several techniques for creating texture in your piece. I also learned that in the art world, the layers and textures are referred to as "history" of a ...