May Flower Challenge - Day 7

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

I've been visiting my parents the past few days.

Oh, the space to play.

My NYC apartment is small

so to have a kitchen table to make art on is heaven.

I've been making some books out of 

upcycled gift bags,
lace, pieces of material,
old paper, and other found objects.

I even used my Mom's sewing machine
to sew a flower.
(That is a pretty amazing feat
since I think I lasted 2 weeks
in home economics -
I switched to woodworking and had more fun.)



I will finish the books by doodling,
adding quotes,
stamping,
adding secret messages,
little envelopes,
and anything else I can think of as I go along.

What do you use to make art?

Feel free to join in at any time.
Play for a day or the rest of the month.

What's on my desk...this week

Today is Wednesday and I recently started to play with other lovely artists and Julia Dunnit over at Stamping Ground by participating in WOYWW - what's on your workdesk Wednesday. 

The makings of journals...

As you may remember, I recently visited my family in Wisconsin. I gave my parents an assignment prior to my arrival and list of stops that we had to make upon my arrival. Well, my Dad accepted and completed the mission. I grew up in a town of 5,000 +/- people and my parents, brother, and niece still live there. Yes, I know, you're asking how did I end up in NYC? That is a topic for another post...some day.

Back to my Dad...he visited the local paint and decorating store and scored a few vinyl wallpaper sample books. Two weeks ago he picked me up at the airport and took me to Michael's to buy mod podge, gesso, and (little did he know) a frame for his gift. 

There was so much paper to pick from. Now, I know vinyl wallpaper isn't as wonderful as the old real paper wallpaper BUT...it reminds me of cloth, can be written on, makes a great cover (when reinforced with cereal box board and mod podge), adds color and texture to the journals I made.

My Mom had to work and during the first couple of days my niece had school so I was left to create alone (well, my Dad was home but he didn't play with me - giggle)...and selfishly I loved every minute.

I raided my Mom's plethora of artsy supplies and discovered some great lace which accents a few pages beautifully. I incorporated the magazine snippets, used different types of paper and created a few journals. 

I still need to stitch them, create a few more, and then give a few to friends.

Sigh...this was so much fun and honestly the best part was the space and the ability to spread out on a kitchen table (oh, how I miss having a kitchen table)...sigh, again.

Well, I have back in NYC for a week and I am back to the "day job" so finishing my new creations will need to wait until I can take a breath. 

What's on your work desk? 

Don't forget to stalk other artist's over at Stamping Ground and visit their blogs today.