Flatwoods Folk Art

Tried & True......

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Most of you who read my posts here know that my artwork always leans very much to vintage creams, yellows, blues, browns, greens and white.  Not that I'm not attracted to lighter, happier seeming colors (believe me our home is different) it just seems that when I create my hands, my mind, my visions just always seem to be "aged".  *S*

Today's Tried & True post is on the opposite end of the color spectrum and it is a delightful place to visit.  Cheryl has truly created a visual feast for us to enjoy at Rosey Posey Confections. 

I love these bags filled to the brim with a bounty of sewing room goodies....very aptly named the Fabricaholic Bag. 

  

These bags of goodies are definitely a treat to those of us who sew and to those of us who barely made it through Home Economics but who still own a sewing machine (raising hand).  I am bound and determined to add sewing to my art work (I know I can, I know I can, I know I can.)  *S*  

What better way to be inspired than to visit this confectionery delight.....

How about a fabric candy roll to whet your appetite?

 

  

And while we are skipping straight to the sweets let's try a Dessert Box to go....

 

  

 

And, since we are splurging, why not grace our homes with some floral sweetness....

 

  

Now don't go thinking that Cheryl's blog is only for those that love fabric and vintage trims and ribbons (yes, vintage trims and ribbons).  This blog and her Etsy Boutiques (yes, multiple) and her Lollishop feature some of the most beautiful collages and other handmade delights that she has put much love into.

Take a peek at her new place to play in her studio....

 

  

Could you not find yourself creating inspirations here yourself?  So you might be asking what inspirations Cheryl creates so I thought I would share a few of these pretties here.....

 

  

I love this precious heart.  The stitching ~ I have you in my heart. ~ how beautiful.

 

        

The romantic side of me is still so obviously calling out to be filled.  This collage on its easel is so very romantic and and serene.  Don't you love this?

 

 

 

This sewn journal is inspirational beyond imagination.  How perfectly feminine.  The lace and beautiful fabrics, the vintage images.....Cheryl this is gorgeous.

Cheryl is a very talented sewer (should that be seamstress) and artist.  She creates the most magnificent dolls and hearts and vintage inspired children's clothing. 

She has a giving and loving spirit that shines through in everything she offers.  Her ideas and the creations that spring forth from them are truly gifts and she does not waste them. 

Whether you are into bright, muted, pastel or dark colors you will feel at home at this wonderful confectionery in our Land O' Blog. 

Rosey Posey welcome's you in with its abundance of sweet offerings and allows you to indulge the side of you that is a "fabricaholic". 

Please visit Cheryl at her blog and then check out all of her shops to see the abundance of beautiful creations that she offers (including embellished baby clothes).

Cheryl's Rosey Posey Confections

Stitching a Dream

Confections Fabric - Etsy

Confections Fabric - Website

Sew Sweet

Lollishop

 

Now for those of you who love vintage ribbon and trim I wanted to add just 3 more photos.

 

This first one reminds me of my childhood......no, I'm only 29 I just had a mom who loved vintage goodies too. hehehe just kidding.....I'm a tad older.

 

And the beautiful packages that could be wrapped with this ribbon.....

   

 

And for those that may enjoy more muted tones...aren't the creams, ecrus and whites just yummy?

 

 

Okay, now shoo......check out Cheryl's blog, be sure to leave a comment so she knows you visited, and then go wild with those sweets in her shops. 

Cheryl, thank you so much for allowing me to feature you today. 

A blessed day to you all.

xo,

Lesley

 

Friday's New Line-Up...

Good Morning Everyone,

I've had several requests so beginning next Friday I will begin posting photographs of my artwork that I've created during the week.  That being said my Friday Posts will now be "The Week In Art".

I've found it almost impossible to keep up with my original thought of posting what trades are happening since there seem to be so many here in this Land O' Blog.  I could drive myself even battier.  :)

So here's hoping not too many will mind me posting some of my own art here on the Flatwoods Folk Art (FFA) Blog.

Just as an extra note....I had an email from someone asking how they would go about getting their new blog's name listed as a link on someone else's blog.  I responded to her by email but just wanted to say for others who may be just starting to blog that the secret is to visit blogs, link the ones you like on your blog and leave comments for blog owners and artists that you love.  This will help generate traffic to your blog.  I can tell you that Bloggers are a terrific group of people and you will see their arms open wide for you.  If you are a member of a Yahoo Group (or more) make sure you post your blog address with each post you do (generating more traffic).  Tell  your other group members you have begun a blog and please to go visit.  Ask them if they mind if you add them to your blog as a link you like, most of the time they will link back to you (this will work most of the time but you may run into some that won't reciprocate.  Just shake them off).  In one of your posts type out this request....Hey everyone reading this if you like my blog please link back to it on yours!!!  :) 

Just remember that more important than links to your blog on other peoples blogs are the friendships that can be gained by blogging.  I have found some amazing friends whom I respect and admire.  Without this medium I would never have had that opportunity.

Happy blogging everyone!

xo,

Lesley

A Valentine's Day Blog Party...

I know that we are just ending the Christmas and New Year Holiday Season for 2008 but with all of the fun that surrounded the blog parties that I participated in I wanted to go ahead and do a post about my Valentine's Day Bash!

If you would like to post about the party on your blog here is the flyer with the information.

What better way to celebrate the day of love and romance than to have a Valentine's Day Blog Party!

Parties with cupcakes, cupids, decorations, give aways, romance, glitter, hearts, poetry, music, graphics and art! Blogs festooned in pink, red, lace, ribbon and rhinestones!!!

All that is required of you is to have a Valentine's Day inspired event on your blog the day of the party, a link back to my blog (button is below) and I will link to yours. 

 

Grab this Button!

 

What is a Valentine's Day inspired event you might ask? Well, you could scan a romantic image and post it onto your blog for others to download, post a love poem, photographs of a piece of your
Valentine's Day inspired art or of a romantic vignette, post a tutorial to share, or you could host a give away. Nothing is over the top, make your post opulent, silky and decadent. Most of all
have your post reflect you and your romantic visions.

Oh, and be sure to let me know you are going to participate by leaving your blog name and address either in a reply post or by emailing it directly to me at flatwoodsfolkart@aol.com (be sure to put Blog Party as the subject line).

The week of the party I will create a list of all blogs/sites that are participating so that we can all visit each other's blogs the day of the party.

What delicious fun we will have following cupid's trail of shiny pink glitter from blog to blog to download goodies, drink in artistic inspiration, learn new techniques or put our names in the
hat for some wonderful give aways.

Invite your friends to come to the party too after all the more the merrier! Don't have a blog? Don't worry, everyone is invited to the party.

Are you up for Romancing the Blog?

xo,

Lesley

 

Last Shopping Friday before Christmas!!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

In the tradition of the past month or so I am posting photos and Etsy Shops where I believe you just might find that very special gift for someone on your list.

So away we go!!!!

ERosa's Jewelry - Flower Crown

 

 

Loop's Designs - Baroque Champagne Pearl Unfurl

 

 

Silo Curb - Vintage GermanSpice Set

 

 

The Queen's Royal Coach - Crowns, Crowns, Crowns

 

 

The Glass Onion - Oh, Jealousy

 

 

Vintage Pearls - 1890's Boy's Dress

 

 

Dangs World - Ivory Dove Barrette

 

 

Creative Yarn - Shoulder Warmer

 

Pins and Needles Basket - Blossom Brooch

 

 

 

Lindsey Bs - Silk Flower Brooch

 

 

Remember Yesterday - Lace Gloves

 

 

Teresa Sheeley - Tea Towel

 

 

Clarissa Callesen - Protect Your Heart

 

 

Pink Supply - Frozen Charlotte Priest

 

Enjoy your shopping today!!!  I think I have chosen some wonderful items for you to delight in!

xo,

Lesley

I think I'll call it Happy Holiday Friday!!!

Good Morning Everyone! 

As Christmas draws ever closer I know that many of you are still trying to find that perfect gift for someone special in your life.  So for this week and next week only instead of Friday Trade Days we will be having Happy Holiday Friday to showcase 10 (or so) more Etsy shops that may just hold that jewel of a find you have been searching for!

So to kick it off I have 13, yes as in a Baker's Dozen, Etsy shops just waiting for you to come a calling.

Rebecca 3030 - Vintage Couture Choker

Jackson Creede - Winged Penthouse

 

 

Talona - Absorbent Burp Cloth (can't help it with our new babies this year!)

 

 

LiliSwan - Lisette

 

 

Loves Me Not - Vintage Christmas Pixie Elf

 

 

Greta Gem - Handpainted Lightbulb Ornaments

 

 

Wave Cloud - Vampire Earrings

(Yes, Virginia I am reading the Twilight Series)

 

 

 

Days Long Gone - Steampunk Jewelry

 

 

Eidel Jewelry -  Hammered Silver Cuff

 

 

Wiggle Perfume - Speakeasy Vanilla Perfume

 

 

Zephyr Woods - Three's A Charm

 

 

Karma Crochet - Afghan/Throw

 

 

Aurelia And Annalise - Baby Booties

 

 

Have Fun Everyone and Happy Holiday Friday to you!!!

xo,

Lesley

Losing Voice, Bronchitis and Very Bad Dreams....

This is a photograph of my Granny and Granpa Edwards.  I never met him as he passed away when my Daddy was just a boy but I did know my Granny, I didn't know her as much as I should have and that saddens me but I know for sure are that she loved me and I loved her.  Don't you think they are a great looking couple?

This has been an extremely rough week.  My voice has been coming and going, mostly going, so now I have total laryngitis and it feels like I am either in the middle of a bout of bronchitis or perhaps at the start of pneumonia.  Then yesterday I posted some things I was grateful for on JoAnnA's blog and last night I had horribly frightening dreams about my ex-husband.  Not a good space for my head to be in.  :(

So for today I hope you will forgive me forgoing the "Trade Days" post and that instead you will look at the prior posts at this link.

I'll post more later if my head gets into the right frame of mind....otherwise dear friends please have a wonderful Friday evening and I will write more tomorrow.

xo

Lesley

   

Happy Friday Everyone!

  I hope this post finds everyone doing well and getting ready for a creative weekend. 

Yesterday I purchased one of Dawn's tutorials over on The Feathered Nest and after looking at everything last night I cannot wait to create some of these as gifts!  This weekend however I am working on some CDs that I need to get to Sherre for our 2nd book and I am also finishing up a couple of projects that I am doing for the 2nd book as well.  It feels good knowing that I have that time set aside strictly for creating.

Tomorrow night we are going out to eat with friends and to see a small concert so I am looking forward to that as well.

I posted the Swaps that I knew about on Wednesday so please refer back to that post for today's Trade Days posting 'cuz I got a bit confused.  :)

I would like to hear from my students in Connecticut to see if they are up for some type of Christmas swap.  Are any of you game? 

There is also going to be something really special going on at the Latest Trends Yahoo Group in a bit so be sure to join, you won't want to miss out!  Check it out here. 

Dawn, would you mind if I created something from the tutorial and had it as a give away on my blog? 

I have been gathering some goodies so keep your eyes open for give-aways, store openings, and dates on the Lollishops!

I feel very blessed knowing the friends that I have made through this creative journey.  I hope in some way my words convey my appreciation for all of you.

xo,

Lesley

Friday Trade Days....

 

Hello again everyone!  Today I will be listing a few new swaps that I came across in my Yahoo Groups:

Art Techniques ATCs - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arttechniquesatcs/ - There are a multitude of ATC (Artist Trading Card) swaps happening right now in this group so if you are not already a member go join the group and join in on the fun!  I know several of the ladies that took my classes were interested in doing ATCs and this would be a wonderful opportunity to get your feet wet.  After you join just checkout the database for a list of the current swaps.

ArtChix Studio - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artchixstudio/ - At this Yahoo Group they also have several swaps happening right now.  Most of these swaps will ask that you use a product you can find at Helga's ArtChix Studio shop online here:  http://www.artchixstudio.com/

The Eccentric Pastiche - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EccentricPastiche/ - A smaller Yahoo Group that currently has an inchie swap and a Secret Santa Swap set up in their database.

Hannah Grey - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hannahgrey/ - Several swaps including a Secret Santa Swap and a Dammit Doll swap.

Amber Dawn's Inventive Soul - http://www.inventivesoul.blogspot.com/ - Amber is always in the know about jewelry swaps so be sure to check out her blog for information regarding her Black and White Jewelry Swap.

If you know of other swaps that you think readers may be interested please leave a post and give the details.

Thanks and have a great day!

xo,

Lesley

The skinny book page swap that I mentioned last week is full and sign up is closed!

Trade Days....

 

What better way to start a Friday than to talk about swaps - well the ones I know about anyway.

On our Yahoo Group - The Latest Trends in Mixed Media - we have several workshops happening for Halloween and several more coming up.  We just completed a Halloween charm swap and a paper swap and I am hoping to get the go ahead to host a charm swap and an ATC swap (Barb I know you are up for this!).  If you have not joined already go here:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheLatestTrendsinMixedMediaArts/

Art-E-Zine Cafe - Ongoing Swap - Monthly Art Lottery - Check them out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artezinecafe/

Art Techniques Group - Winter Skinny Book - Group 2 still open - check them out here:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arttechniques/

Also, check out the Calls and Challenges posted for all of the Somerset Publications here:  http://www.stampington.com/html/wanna_get_published.html

We are working on Volume 2 of Exploring the Latest Trends in Mixed Media and Cindy placed the following post to our Yahoo Group: Whether you are a professional artist or a new emerging artist, we
would like to invite you to submit one or more projects to be considered for the next publication of "Exploring The Latest Trends in Mixed Media Art-Volume II" This second book is all about recycling,
repurposing and reinventing, with a wide variety of chapters, including wearables, jewelry, EZ gifts and more! So if you are interested, please join our group (the top link in this post) and let her know you are interested.

Do you know of other swaps, challenges or calls for art?  If so, please place a response to this post for others to read.

xo

Lesley