1.31.2012

A cautionary tale


My original intention with this post was to write about my progress on my word for the year - Begin...how I had begun to tackle portions of my identified projects...but a thorny path ensued...



First off, I signed up for Kim Klassen's online class "Beyond Layers" to motivate me to acquire at least a rudimentary understanding of Photoshop...I registered and the first class was January 16.  I plunged right in!

Second...to broaden public exposure of my original collage creations, I began to research area art shows, mindful of the deadlines so I could submit applications on time with great images of my work.

In addition, I signed up for the Imagine the Impossibilities Challenge hosted by 6 great bloggers, indicating that my challenge would be to get a handle on Photoshop by the end of the month...I figured that this would keep me honest...I didn't want to have nothing to say at month's end.

I encountered some bumps along the way...with the first photo assignment of the Beyond Layers workshop, I was lost.  My copy of Photoshop 7 is the whole enchilada - the complete professional version.  To begin the process of minor photo editing was daunting...and frustrating.  After conferring with Kim, I downloaded Photoshop Elements 10...or as I like to call it, weenie Photoshop.  Sometimes the lesson to be learned is knowing your limitations...what's possible and what's not.  I figured that once I got a handle on the software of Photoshop Elements, Photoshop 7 would be easier to understand at a later time.

I had immediate gratification using Photoshop Elements to complete the first assignment of the Beyond Layers online course...and here's my textured photograph using the subject of "just enough" and applying Kim's "Awaken" texture...





























The next lesson in Beyond Layers was a writing assignment...using the idea of the Six Word Memoir from Smith Magazine, you were to capture a moment of your life in six words...several came to mind (including menopause dilemma: chin hair? where? tweezers!) but the one that resonated with me was this...

Begin now- before procrastination sets in

Unfortunately procrastination had already taken its toll...last week my computer hard drive died...and I lost all my documents/ photos/ files/ bookmarks...because, yes - I neglected to back up my computer.  I know its my fault - I know better - but my computer was less than a year old, surely it would be operating great for awhile.  I had never had any problems before so I was a little cavalier about it...but in second, it was all gone.

Yes, my computer is under warranty so I am getting my hard drive replaced at no charge but the lost files are my problem.  I spent last week finding out more than I could ever imagine about protecting hard drives and data recovery.  Obviously I am not alone in my cavalier attitude that "this can't happen to me!" since there is quite a business in data recovery...and after conferring with experts, it was possible to get my data back...to the tune of $1200...I couldn't justify $1200...I just had to deal with the fact that it was gone.

So my participation in Beyond Layers has been put on hold since I have no previous photos and no copy of Photoshop of any version to play with.  My new hard drive will arrive in about two weeks...in the meantime I am using the Southern Man's laptop but it doesn't have my photos nor my software on it.

My ability to apply to art shows is put on hold - not only do I not have any photos of my work, I don't have any photos of my booth setup from previous shows - a usually necessary element of applications.

But what I do have is some sage advice and some practical information that I can share...in what I hope is a very simple explanation to guide others...because I am assuming that many of you are just like me...you just want to turn on your computer and have it work...

First off, hardware problems are mechanical problems...software failures don't affect hardware components.  The techie who looked at my hard drive revealed that the most likely cause of the damage was electrical surge that prevented the needle from reading the discs...having a surge protector is little help when there is a storm raging outside...essentially, your surge protector then is one big electrical cord to your computer.  And it only takes a second to fry your hard drive.

The solution - battery backup.  This device essentially "evens out" the electricity going into your computer - no peaks and valleys - no surges.  And at the slightest hint of an electrical problem, immediately jumps into battery mode to run your computer so any spikes are averted.  I bought my battery backup on Amazon - it was about $60, not really that much more expensive than a decent surge protector (which I have now learned is an oxymoron!)

As for data storage, I bought an external hard drive - Western Digital My Passport with 1TB of storage...I save all my photo files as big files so this baby will give me plenty of storage space...and its not much bigger than my smartphone...automatically backs up a file whenever you make any changes to it...again, bought it on Amazon for about $150.  There is also "cloud drive storage" available...Amazon is offering 5GB for free, Dropbox offers 2KB for free...here your files are saved securely on their servers but available anywhere...I'm thinking I might use this system as a back-up.

So when Linda from it all started with paint asked me to Imagine the Impossibilities and join in the challenge, I never imagined this would be the impossibility I would face...but I did...and here's hoping that you never do...

I'm linking up over at it all started with paint to share my challenge...there will be plenty of others sharing too...most of whom will be sharing successful projects that will inspire...and challenge others to take on the impossible!

1.29.2012

Time is running out...

Just one more week for my postcard sale going on over at my etsy shop...





























8 different designs...package of 4 postcards for $2.25 plus shipping...


























sale ends Saturday, February 4, 2012...stop on by to have a look...

1.25.2012

Due to technical difficulties...
















My computer hard drive died on Wednesday...see that empty metal space in the lower left hand corner...that's where my hard drive was...it is now in the hands of a professional in whom I have put my faith.  Meanwhile I am using the Southern Man's laptop...but it doesn't have my photo files nor my software programs...so I will be out of commission for  a while...thank god for smartphones - I can still check my email...

Hope to be back to normal soon...

1.22.2012

Following the path ahead










Well...I've finally gone and done it...
I was holding out, but no longer...
I was convinced by a fellow artisan/business woman
that it really is a great marketing tool...











Would you "like" four corners design on Facebook...if so, click here...

I have just designed a business page on Facebook...another place where you can follow my blog, keep updated with my calendar of events and be the first to know about specials & sales at my etsy shop...

And while I'm at it...feel free to follow me on Pinterest as well...

Follow Me on Pinterest

I'm loving this virtual bulletin board to keep track of great ideas/inspiring photos/cool projects


thanks for the support...I appreciate it!

1.20.2012

Cold comfort









Now that January is here, I'm happy for the clean start to the year...but the weather turns unbearably gray and drizzly (well...actually that's been a little snowy lately...no, make that alot snowy...for us here in the Pacific NW!)   All I feel like doing is staying inside...working...or reading...or cooking...


I just finished reading Gabrielle Hamilton's autobiography, Blood, Bones and Butter.  It was a fascinating read...and not sugar-coated in the least.  In the same vein as Anthony Bourdain's books, you might sometimes think twice about your restaurant meal and what it went through before it arrived at your table...but Hamilton's book also inspired me to go into the kitchen and cook...preparing heart-warming and soul-stirring food...or at least, give it my best shot!










We had a ton of carrots leftover from our annual New Year's Day open house...and there's only so many carrots I can chomp on during the day...I thought I would roast them until they were sweet, soft, caramelized, melt in your mouth nuggets...

raw carrots with garlic cloves, sea salt and cracked pepper...
I added chopped red onion, parsley and green olives to the roasted carrots...tossed the carrots with olive oil, a handful of roasted sunflower seeds and a pinch of red pepper flakes along with some rotini pasta...
with a glass of rough red wine, it provided plenty of cold comfort on a chilly January night...

1.18.2012

Playing along

snowy day #1
photo taken with Retro Camera app for Android / altered with Kodak Easy Share software with Coloring Book and then Cartoon








































It is a little unusual for my part of the world to get over 6 inches of snow in a day...and today we got even more snow...so yesterday was the perfect play day...to play in the snow and to play with the photo apps on my phone...

My artist friend Dave over at Clearer Reflections has been hosting a once a month recipe exchange...the "recipe" being the steps one uses to create an interesting photo image from the pic taken on your smartphone and then altered/edited with all of the apps out there...of which there are many!  I'm a total newbie here...but I wanted to play along...I know I cheated with the opening photo - it was taken with my Android phone but altered on my computer...
snowy day #2
photos taken with Android phone and collaged with Diptic app for Android
snowy day #3
photo taken with Retro Camera app for Android / altered with Lomo effect under photo editing features for Android
And then I came inside because it was getting cold...and took another pic...
the forest brook
picture taken with Retro Camera app for Android / altered with Sharpness FX under Effects - PicsArt app for Android

Now I only have a few apps (three to be exact) but it seems to provide enough distraction for me...but check out the other "recipes" at Clearer Reflections...there's a lot cookin' over there!

1.16.2012

We have a winner!



























First of all - thanks to all who entered my giveaway...I appreciate the support!

And now for the announcement...

Connie of She Dreams Big

is the winner of the Ramsign enamel number giveaway!

Connie, Ramsign Enamel Numbers will contact you directly about your number sign.  I encourage everyone else to pop over to their site...you may not have won, but you could still order your own number...

1.13.2012

Scratching an itch



With the new year, it seemed like I had a clean palette...I was itching to create...I had a few bits of ephemera hanging around my workspace that were enticing...but did I have the right composition...should I look for a better focus...consider a larger size...and then I remembered my word for the year - BEGIN
so I did just that-

copper leaf - 3" x 5-1/2"
french game card, book spine, birch leaf,
vintage cloth tape, silk thread




































winter in paris - 4" x 4"
corrugated cardboard, paint chip sample, cotton flannel fabric,
chinese fortune, silk thread, seed beads, acrylic paint

























parisian mist - 4" x 4"
corrugated cardboard, paint chip sample, paper napkin,
image transfer, original photograph, silk thread, acrylic paint



























I've been wanting to incorporate fabric into my collages...and stitching...going back to some of my original ideas when I began four corners design in 1999...interesting how ideas cycle back into your consciousness/sphere of influence/inspiration aura over time...so I thought this was the perfect excercise to see where those ideas would take me...

And I am not alone in feeling a need to scratch an artistic itch at the beginning of this new year...

Dave over at Clearer Reflections has been on a whirlwind artistic bent...creating a photo a day and taking it to a different level...with opportunity for others to join in...read all about it here...

A New York Magpie's Eye has likewise been creating a collage a day...simple and sublime at the same time...see her work here...

Carole Reid has started a daily journal that will be a study in circles...I'm not much of journal writer (the blog substitutes for that) but a visual journal is a unique twist...and certainly scratches an itch...read about her work here...

what itch do you need to scratch?  ...feel free to share...

1.11.2012

A few adjustments...









Its a new year...time to make resolutions/ adjustments/ declarations/pronouncements...


The current issue of Real Simple magazine caught my eye the other day...look at this list...

You would think with a list like this, the magazine would need to be a major tome...but alas, its only 136 pages.  It just so happened that a copy of this issue was in the free pile of magazines at the library so I brought it home to read...I don't think I've improved my life for good, but the section on how to correct 17 everyday cooking errors was helpful.
I wonder, with all of these topics covered in January, what will they write about in February?











As for me, have a few announcements of my own...

I've done a little re-organizing of my blog.  I have designed a Features page, which is located in the Pages/Additional Details section on the right hand column of my blog...in one location, you can find where my projects have been featured on other blogs or websites.  I can't thank fellow bloggers enough for the support they have given me...there's a live link for each individual feature; please visit these sites for plenty of inspiration/motivation for your own projects.

I have closed down my space at Faded Elegance in Snohomish so that I can concentrate on my art projects.  There is still a link to Faded Elegance in my blog list so I encourage you to visit and sign up for their email list so you can keep in the loop on all the activities going on there.  I have some ideas for future creative workshops and trunk shows and will talk with Kimberly in the future about what might be possible.

I plan to offer regular sales at my etsy shop...there's a link in the right hand column...right now, I'm having a great postcard sale...digital images of my original collages made into postcards...you still have time to send out New Year greetings to friends far and wide...

In the works is a tutorial list of my projects over the last two years, that you will be able to easily access from the right hand column...its not yet completed but I'll be posting it soon.

And don't forget to enter my 2-year anniversary giveaway...details here...those fab European house numbers could be yours...deadline to enter is Sunday, January 15...

1.08.2012

A confluence of Twos

January 2012, marks my 2nd anniversary of blogging...little did I know when I started out (trying to transition from a static website to an on-going blog), that it would strike a chord with me...its certainly has become my online journal to share thoughts, ideas, projects, inspirations and even a few recipes. 

But what's really surprising to me is that it obviously strikes a chord with others too...to the tune of over 25,000 visits...that's approximately 1000 visits per month...I realize that there are bigger and bolder blogs, but from my small corner of the world, I am blown away.

I can't thank you, the reader, enough...thanks for visiting, thanks for commenting, thanks for sharing, thanks for support.  To celebrate, I'm having a giveaway...since I have a small obsession with numbers and metal, it seems only fitting that my giveaway is a set of metal enamel numbers, graciously donated by Ramsign Signs.

Though they make the classic enamel house numbers, you could use these numbers in other ways...labelling large wooden bins for organizing, attaching a favorite number to a gift (especially if its a significant birthday...like sweet sixteen or retirement sixty-five), or incorporating one into a piece of artwork...you decide...if you are the winner.
The winner can choose any house number sign (not name signs or address plaques) with 1-5 digits of any size and design. Ramsign will produce and deliver the sign directly to the winner.  The delivery is free of charge  and all my readers world wide can participate.  And if you're not the winner, pop over to their site anyway...love the classic look of these designs...I'm thinking my front door needs a little lift...
Here's how to enter-
1.  Become a follower...or if you already are one, just let me know in your comments.
2.  Leave a comment...and my only request here is that your email is active on your profile...please "no-reply" addresses...it makes it impossible to get back to you!
3.  Entries will close on January 15th and a winner announced on January 16th.

That's it...nothing involved or complicated...I just want you to come back and visit whenever you want some "creative combinations of everyday ephemera"...

1.05.2012

Inside the box

Right before christmas I wrote about the long standing tradition I have with my friend Sue...the box we  trade back and forth each year, filled with treasures.  Now that the holidays are over and Sue has received her treasures, I thought I would share the contents here...






































Sue has started a small handcrafted greeting card enterprise...so the majority of the contents are ephemera she can use in her designs...ticket stubs, photo corners, small tags and vintage flower centers. 

I also included an ornament I made from an old christmas card Sue sent me in 1985...she was (and still is...but the loom is stored away now) an exceptional weaver back then and I, of course, kept this handcrafted card for many years.  I decided to turn it into a keepsake for her.  I love finding a use for those items that are abundant in supply at thrift stores...and embossed brass frames fits that category!  I usually have a stash of frames outside in my "rusting area" so that the patina is dulled and even a little rust may form.  I trimmed the card so that the weaving was centered in the frame and then added a backing of mat board.  I punched two holes in the mat board and threaded a length of ribbon through the holes before I slid the backing into place...I also glued her description from the original card onto the backing...


















I use this same mounting technique with several of my smaller art pieces - a great use for those brass frames and an easy way to hang artwork...

1.02.2012

Embracing color


While in the midst of christmas decorating about a month ago, I decided that it was time to rearrange the furniture and spruce things up a bit...my big stack of 20+ suitcases moved from the front entry to the dining room, a table from the Southern Man's office came downstairs to behind the sofa, lamps were swapped out, pillows exchanged...but through it all, the slipcovers on the sofa and the overstuffed chair were looking a little ragged...

I bought my sofa and chair from Ballard Designs over 15 years ago...I remember at the time that more than one person thought I was a little crazy to be ordering major furniture from a mail-order catalog without actually seeing it/sitting in it before I bought.  But I had fabric samples and detailed measurements with line drawings sent to me beforehand so I felt confident in my purchase...and I have been very happy with my sofa and chair ever since...they both are still in great shape...but the slipcovers were faded and becoming threadbare in places.  Well, of course everyone was having a major sale on the monday after thanksgiving...and sure enough so was Ballard Designs...so I ordered new slipcovers...I decided that I would stick with a solid color but didn't want anything as boring as khaki or sand (and off-white was out of the question if I didn't want to wash the covers every week!) so butter was the choice...it sounded so rich and creamy...with a click of the mouse, it was done!

A week later, covers arrive...I take them out of the box and put them on the furniture...I hesitate...the Southern Man comments that it looks more margarine or oleo than butter...

an aside...
I grew up in Wisconsin in the 1960's...Wisconsin, being "America's Dairyland", only sold butter in the grocery stores at that time...people would travel to Illinois to buy margarine (which was and continues to remain, much cheaper in cost than butter).  It was called oleo back then...people brought it back in their trunks and sold it to friends and neighbors...it was white and came with a packet of yellow dye that you could mix in to make it look like butter...but it was pretty easy to tell the difference...so needless to say, commenting that the new color of the slipcovers looked like margarine was not a good thing...

Now for those of you who know me, you know I am not a color hound...my attire is usually a pair of blue jeans and a gray top...every hue, tone and shade of gray I have in sleeveless cotton tees to tweedy wool wraps.  If the color choices for the slipcovers would have listed "pewter" or "slate", I would have been set...

But rather than return them, I decided to live outside my comfort zone...I realize that this is small potatoes, but its a start.  To complement the color of the sofa and tie in the other colors in the room, I decided to enhance a small rusty iron side table I had...it was a simple iron stand with a plain, brown, waterstained wood insert...here's the progress of the table top from start to end...

First layer - pages from an old french history volume...during the bookbinding process, the pages weren't trimmed so I was able to remove a set of untrimmed pages, unfold them and lay them down as the first layer, using my standard formula of Elmer's glue and water...

the second layer is a decorative paper napkin...I separated the three-ply napkin and only used the top single ply so the type from the first layer would show through...
the third layer is a page from an old french book about birds and their nests; this chapter page illustration is finely detailed and placed in the center of the collage design.
After the third layer, I felt that something more was needed...a bit more patterned tissue and a postage stamp was added...then the entire surface was sanded smooth and finished with two coats of polyurethane and one coat of paste wax...
here's the side table in the living room...moving around the margarine colored pillows helps to break up the mass of yellow dominating the room...
























As you can see, at least one family member is enjoying the new sofa...maybe because its his color...
linking up to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm...with the new year underway, there is no shortage of thrifty energy here!

1.01.2012

Happy New Year!

moving into 2012...looking forward to all that lies ahead...


worth a look...

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