And The Winner Is....

First, I'd like to thank everyone who took part in my Tim Holtz Giveaway. I think this was one of the best questions I've ever asked, and it was great to read all your wonderful answers! Hands down, getting these lovely extensions of our arms inky, dirty and painty were the most popular responses — and I would totally agree!

Since my blog is networked on several social media sites, I did things the old fashioned way... printed out all your names and randomly drew one out of a hat. And the lucky winner is...

Melody M. Nunez!

Her comment was: I LOVE working with my hands. I find it deeply satisfying to have inky, paint-covered hands! I'm so thankful that I can create art, type, bake, shake hands, wave, and do a million other things with my hands. Even the ability to scratch an itch is a blessing. :o)

Congratulations Melody! Send your home address to me here and I'll get your trio of musical goodies  in the mail right away.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. And I invite you to stick around... I have a new post every Tuesday and a Thoughtful Thursday feature, where I talk about some of the inspirations behind my creativity. And who knows what other surprises I'll have in the future!

Thanks again!
Michelle xoxox

You've Been Served...

Just a shout out to all those who have served our country, to all those who are currently serving our country, and to all who may one day serve our country. Thank you!

Thoughtful Thursdays: What Was She Thinking?

Last weekend, I took a trip to our local Flea Market to find some wooden thread spools for my next project. Unfortunately, I did not find any... but of course I never leave empty handed! I always get lots of disparate, weird and unique items... and so I thought I'd tell you what was going on in my head when I came across each of them! So, let's see what the heck I was thinking...

Eeeeek! Glittery candy garland! I could totally use this for a candy inspired assemblage! Maybe peppermint swirls hanging vertically... or maybe nailed to the side. So sweet for only $1.

Elephannnnnts! Need more elephants for all of my circus-themed dimensional dioramas. I always picture them — perhaps one on either side of the main element of my art — majestically guarding it. I'll never forget this buy at a mere 25¢.

Ooooooh, used vintage bulbs. Sweeeeeet! And I just heard the dealer give that guy a good price on something else! I could use them for a steampunk-themed art doll... as a funky cool hat! Hey mister, how much for the jar of bulbs? A great idea for only 50¢.

Gold teeeeeeth??? Hmmmmm... Gold. Metal. Freaky! Yeah... definitely some kind of jewelry thing. Only $3 for this extraction!

Gasp! Girl scout stuff! Even though it's new, I can make it look old... those patches haven't changed much over the years. Could totally see them on a funky green mailbag purse. Or maybe a skirt! Now that would be fun. And the badges are a bonus! Earned this stash for a mere $2.

Ohmigosh! A dirty, scary, albino bunny (all by itself on an empty table)! Must have! Love cute and scary. Not sure what I'll use it for but.... it's free! You know, I almost find as much free junk on the ground as I actually purchase at this place! Gotta love that.

So thanks for coming along on my flea market trip! I'd love to hear about some of your strange and unusual purchases and how you intend to use them.

Music to My... Hands? A Giveaway!

Just my way of saying how much I appreciate all of you, my lovely blog followers! I'm giving away this trio of Tim Holtz goodies to one lucky winner! A little something to keep your hands busy as fall turns into winter.

You'll get...
• an Idea-ology Mask — Concerto
• a Stamper's Anonymous mounted rubber stamp — Sheet Music
• an entire pack of Idea-ology metal Word Sticks

Simply leave a comment telling me what you love most about working with your hands. It can be as simple as, "I love it when they get messy!" to the more in depth "I think they are an extension of my brain!"

You have until midnight this Sunday, November 13th. I'll choose a winner and announce it in a blog post Monday, November 14th! Good luck!

P.S. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet!

New In The Shop... Tillie Knock Down Dolls!

While it may seem like these vintage-looking, arcade-style dolls came from a carnival museum, they're actually straight from my imagination. Inspired by old-fashioned boardwalk games and a lifetime spent at the shore, I created these Knock-Down Dolls with the likeness of my favorite Asbury Park icon - Tillie.

Available in new, unused-looking styles as well as well-loved and time-worn versions, each Knock-Down Doll is hand made by me and features my own illustrations.

Showcased in a multitude of bright, circus-inspired colors... each doll is outfitted with wild and crazy faux fur.

They're decked out with individual, coordinating ribbon trim in all types of colors and styles.... and finished with vintage steel tacks.

Each one sits on a sturdy 1" thick wooden base that's been silksreened with the Knock-Down Doll logo... and they're numbered, dated, and signed by me!

These one-of-a-kind modern throwbacks are the perfect addition to your boardwalk, carnival or circus collection... and they make the perfect holiday gift for your amusement-loving friends! Available in the Carnival and Circus Fun section of my Etsy shop or pick one up in person at Flying Saucers in Asbury Park, NJ.

Thoughtful Thursdays: Can You Ear Me Now?

Recently I was contemplating what to give a friend for her birthday, when I had an awesome idea. She had purchased one of my upcycled vintage necklaces earlier this year... so I'll make her a pair of matching earrings! I knew she wore both gold and silver, and didn't have any red earrings at all, so I made her a pair in both colors.

Then I had to make it look present-able! I knew she was a fan of Asbury Park, so in keeping with my blog post from last week, I decided to use some vintage boardwalk tickets from 1960 to make the ultimate present-tation!

But a funny thing happened on the way to making these birthday gifts. I recognized that I don't really make earrings to sell, but I loved these so much I think I'm going to start...

Right after I make myself a pair!

Let's Play... Candyland!

Sometimes when I work on a project for so long, my soul just cries out for something completely different. And that's why I have a journal at the ready, at all times!

So I decided to let loose and try my hand at a paint-over... painting over an existing photograph. This one was so cool, I just loved the model... and her makeup... and her hair. I thought it would be an interesting starting point.

Using acrylics, I painted over the entire photo until every bit of it was covered.

Once I finished, the page was just begging for some kind of candy. I mean, her hair already looks like cotton candy—so why not go with the flow!

I decided on peppermint swirls... not my favorite to eat, but they sure do make for great art!

But they looked kind of flat on the pages and I wanted them to pop a little more. So I traced them in place, removed the pieces and added a light wash of acrylics to create a shadow behind them.

Voila! Very happy! Although I'm not sure where I'm going from here. But that's usually how it goes with me! It will be there in my trusty journal when the inspiration takes over. It was fun just to let go for an evening.