Happy Monkey Monday....

Monkey in the Middle Mondays are my way keeping myself in check and working on something new every single week (explained in a little more detail here )...I share pics of my WIPS and I would love to see what you are working on! WIPS are one of my favorite things to follow on blogs. I'm a before and after kinda gal, even though I don't do much trash to treasure these days.

My goal with MIMM is to have a regular group of crafty/artsy bloggers post every Monday about their creative process (or even lack of progress because I have gone there more than a time or two). Maybe you could be one of them? My friend Kathy at Catnip Studio (she also has her MIMM post up - just click on "Catnip Studio" to see) has given me some really awesome suggestions to get a few more folks to participate. Contests and giveaways figured fairly prominently in the emails and I think that's a fantastic idea! Once I get the rugrats back in school, I think we will pursue that.

In the meantime, if you have a project you'd like to share, drop me an email with the link to your blog. I will post it here for all to see...

I have a true banana potpourri (eww!) to share with you this week.

Working on some custom tag orders...

I love these silhouettes, so simple and nostalgic....

And some vintage toybox inspiration...love the feather and tutu sported by this cute little baby doll. She's quite cheeky, wouldn't you agree?

And this little boy/clown....haven't decided what color card stock I want to mount him on...hmmmm....

The little red wagon will be a companion tag to my Radio Flyer Tricycle tag , mounted on brick red card stock.

Did a little bit of painting this week too. Trying to get a jump on the holidays. These spoons will soon make a sparkly forest of my Christmas Spoon Ornies ...

No purpose to this picture, but it's not so often that anything is lined up so neatly in my work area- I had to document the occasion! Plus I just liked the colors and impulsively snapped a shot.

I have about one hundred and fifty of these old factory thread bobbins. They are really thick and sturdy cardboard and perfect to make some sort of ornie out of. Haven't figured it all out yet but I am playing with them (and can never resist an opportunity to polka dot anything!).

This year is quickly turning in to the year of the ornie for me. I will have all sorts of tree trimmings available during the holidays....stay tuned...

And so there we have another week of MIMM...hope the upcoming week treats you well!

Until Next Time,

STEPH

Monday again....where does the time go? The monkey is rearing his banana eatin' head yet again...

If you're not familiar with Monkey in the Middle Monday, click here to learn a bit more.

And then go visit Kathy at Catnip Studio.

I will be sorry if you don't because this is the most awesome M-i-t-M yet! The mosaic work that Kathy does is absolutely beautiful and you will be missing some serious eye candy if you don't click...seriously!

Now what am I in the middle of this week? It's not the traditional make something, show the progress kind of post this week...

I have mentioned that I want to start offering prints from some of my original illustrations and paintings. I sent out to have some prints made, but just wasn't happy with the results. I am very much a believer in controlling everything I possibly can concerning my work (if you add "freak" after control I won't be too offended- I promise! ). The only obstacle blocking my path to complete control was a lack of a high quality printer. The short list has been compiled for months. I have been scanning the sale ads for at least half that time, hoping one of the printers that I pined for would become affordable to me.

So imagine my surprise when I went to Staples a few weeks ago for something completely different and came across one of the objects of my desire on clearance! Serious clearance...more than 50% off kinda clearance....less than 200 bucks kinda clearance. I felt like Yukon Cornelius striking gold with his little pick ax. Out came the plastic and five minutes later I was the proud owner of a professional quality, wide format printer....

...and then I had to learn how to use said printer....it's a whole lotta machine for a girl who's just a bit (Ok- a LOT) on the low side of the Computer genius scale....throw in Photoshop for editing and I have had a major learning experience recently....

See how much I have learned?

These are just a few of the rejected prints....and I have arranged them fairly neatly on my high speed printer, for your viewing pleasure. Imagine a stack with at least twice as many sheets of paper. Imagine yourself throwing it up in the air and watching all of the pages flutter to the ground, covering the floor. THAT"S what my very tiny workspace looked like almost all weekend. (And don't make fun of the duck! He's an instant stress reliever who sings the chicken dance and does a little jig for me whenever I want to scream at that high speed printer- my family knew what they were doing when they gave him to me as a birthday joke...)

BUT the good news is that I think I finally got it!

The resulting print is available on Etsy....hopefully with more to come....

Until next time,

STEPH

Monkey on Tuesday....

And this time, it's not my fault!

Blogger seems to have resolved its' issues and I have pictures again...hopefully my laptop will not get finicky and we can finish this post....

Right off the bat, if you would like to learn more about Monkey in the Middle Monday, just click here ....

And I do have a link to share with you this week....
Catnip Studio
Go take a look at what Kathy was up to this week...too cute!

And now it's time for me to share. I have been coloring this week, playing with my new Prismacolor Pencils...learning quite a bit and having fun with them too....Doing some more planning for the upcoming seasons ...

Recognize this guy?

I really want to start a line of prints meant for kids' rooms based on vintage children's toys. I love the old Fisher Price pull toys and have a small collection. Plus, I recently started collecting old game cards with adorable grapics. Got this circus themed set that is featured on my MitM banner above from my friend Kath's supply shop INeedThat .

And what better set to get some practice in with? These little guys make me smile every time I see them, particularly the Monkey (of course)...

I am also trying to work up a game plan for the holiday season, using pencil drawn art...

I have had these little Swedish pony shaped cut outs for a few years now, one of those "Do you think you can do anything with these because they are going in the trash if you don't want them" kind of gifts. I really do love the shape of them and can see them on a tree. My first thought was to go traditional, but I am not Swedish (my wonderful Step Mom Karen is -she was nice enough to give these to me, thinking I could do something with them) and I wanted to do something a little different. So I am experimenting right now.....


Gotta start somewhere, right? I think I am headed in a "cherry cottage" inspired direction on these, with lots of vintage trims and maybe just a bit of mica or German Glass Glitter sparkle...I can see it in my mind's eye, a whole collection of different but coordinating painted ponies...oh my!

....I think it will be cute....

But you never know until you try....

Until Next time,
STEPH

(This has GOT to be a RECORD) Monkey-in-the-Middle Monday...

How many weeks in a row now? Ok, not as many as I thought, but I'm still dang proud of myself because I actually do have something to share with you today...again! Given how busy the past few weeks have been, that's not too shabby...

To learn a little more about Monkey-in-the-middle Mondays, just click right here.

I don't have too many participating this week. Kathi over at Out on a Whim has went and gone on vacation...imagine that in the middle of summer. Haven't heard from my other regulars, but if they are participating I will update during the week. I do have one link, however, a new friend...

Oh! Just one more thing...

Don't you love that Title? I do! Go visit Mel and check out the 80's ergo chair that she helped a friend re-do....FUN!

If you are taking the plunge and participating, please just send me a quick email with your link. It may take a few days, but I will definitely get you on the wall of fame...errr....Monkey post...

And without further ado, it's time for me to share....

Sometimes, I find a stamp and it takes me awhile to give it a test run. Sometimes I find a stamp and I have to stamp with it IMMEDIATELY (you get where this is going)...when I stumbled upon these 12 days of Christmas stamps, I knew they'd be occupying valuable thinking space in my mind until I actually did something with them. I just love them! Not sure if I love this initial experiment, but they are growing on me...

I think I may sell these more as ornaments because I can't imagine splitting them up...you can't have just one day of Christmas, can you?

I forgot how many birds "my true love gave to me" ...should fit right in this year, considering how popular the feathered friends are right now....

My personal favorite is the "lords a-leaping" there in the lower left...

But I always enjoy a good piper piping or drummer drumming...

Now let's just change the mood COMPLETELY, shall we? The Cottage Style Street Team is celebrating Christmas in July this week on Etsy...so in honor of the event, I am channeling my inner "girly girl"....

What better way to do it than on some sweetly ornate vintage silverware? I don't know if you can read it, but the engraving on that middle handle says "Hotel Ponce DeLeon"...I want to stay there!

I have a hard time with forks and knives...I often have to buy a whole box of mixed pieces to get the spoons I usually paint. After a very busy holiday last year and tons of buying this year in anticipation of another busy Christmas, my collection of forks and knives is piling up....I need to figure this out...

Snowflakes are simple enough to fit on those pesky forks....

And the glass glitter adds a nice touch in person, even if it's hard to capture that sparkle in a digital image...

I haven't gotten to the pinkies yet....I also thought about painting little vintage looking ball ornaments or jingle bells or maybe a wee little tree...just can't decide....any opinions or suggestions out there (good, bad, even ugly)?

And so there you have it, this week's record breaking Monkey-in-the-Middle Monday...

'Til Next Time....

STEPH

Monkey-in-the-Middle MONDAY...

Yes, Monday...already....time is flying...

To learn a little more about Monkey-in-the-Middle Monday, click here.

Before I share my Monkey this week, I am so excited! I have new links for you!

Still figuring out exactly how this is going to work because I attempted to join the Mr. Linky thing but when they started talking about altering you you blog template, I got a little nervous...

So for now, until I feel a bit more confident in the template altering field, I guess I will just give you a list, similar to what the gals at Show-n-Tell Sundays are doing (except mine's allot shorter, for now.... *smile*)...It would be easier if you emailed me directly with your Monkey link. That way I won't miss anyone (if I missed you this week, feel free to send me a nastygram through the link above...;0) )....and feel free to right click and save the monkey banner above and on the sidebar. That way you can post it on your own blog...let's spread the word!

So get ready to clickity-click on a few new fun sites...hopefully I can add yours next week??

Out on a Whim Studio

Lisa's Retro Style

Always Inspired

Catnip Studio

Now, on with the show. I had very little free time last week, as my kids were in soccer camp all week. Add a few games, sleepovers, movies, etc. and I didn't get much work done beyond filling orders and driving my car to and fro...

But I did complete my final version of "Home Sweet Home".

What do you think? No Huge differences, but, from the first go-round, I learned a few things I'd like to change-colors, shading, etc ...

I guess, technically, I am not in the middle of this project, but kinda-sorta, I am. Now I start the process of finding a printer and figuring out cards, etc...lots to learn about what to do with a project to get it to it's selling state. I was even thinking I might like to do some tags from this...how cute would a housewarming gift of a cupcake basket tied with a "home sweet home" tag?

This is a whole new direction for me. I seem to be wandering away from the decorative painting, at least for now...have to admit I am a little burnt out....plus I absolutely LOVE the fine detailing I can get with pencils and a good drafting pen. I missed that with the acrylics. I will definitely still be offering hand painted goodies in my Etsy shop (Big plans for the holidays- more ornies than you can shake a stick at...ok maybe not that many), but for the time being, I think the only new patterns I will be offering are those that appear in Create and Decorate....I want to continue with that. And all of my current patterns will continue to be available on my website .

Wow, seems I am making big business announcements in the Middle of the Monkey....how'd that happen? I just started typing and -BOOM- there it is....sneaky, sneaky....

Something else we worked on this week....I say WE, becasue my dear teenage daughter is working off a huge (OMG it is 2 HUGE! IDK how she did it!) texting bill....Mothers of Teens (MOTs!), you feel my pain, I know u do...so I have slave labor to cut out all sorts of tags for me this summer...great time to get ahead for the holiday rush, but these are new...I am loving stamping on the vintage text. It's a little tricky, but the results are 2die4!

So what's your Monkey this week? We'd love to see...

Until next time...

Steph

It's MONDAY.....

I'm on time this week...mark the date...

Time for another installment of Monkey-in-the-Middle Mondays...if you are complete lost click here to read an explanation of exactly what M-i-t-M is...

Much can happen in a week....and over the past seven days, I discovered a new playground...

Been trying to think of some more portable forms of creativity. I am looking at a long fall full of kids' sports practices. Sports practices that are just far enough from home that it's just not practical to do the "drop and run home" and then go back. Just long enough that the amount of gas used would make me cringe if I were to do that, not to mention the fact that I'd be home a mere fifteen minutes before I had to turn around and go back.

Soooo...I started playing with colored pencils last week....dove in head first and invested in some good colored pencils. And so it began. This picture in different forms has occupied all of my free time this week.

Home, very SWEET home...what girl wouldn't want to live in this confectionary cottage? I tend to be quite taken with houses....like to paint and sketch them in all forms...this is just the latest...

What do you think?

Still not completely there. Had some ink smudging issues (and for the life of me could not get a great picture-the colors are WAY off... sorry about that). If you look very closely you can see them. I think I will have to do at least one more version before I am completely satisfied. But the end goal here (in addition to a more portable studio) is to move more into prints and notecards of my work....

So what are you working on this week? What is your Monkey-in-the-Middle? If you'd like to join in the hoopla, send me an email or post your link in a comment. I will make sure you are duly linked and praised for being a brave soul willing to bare all (or just a few WIPS would do)....

Until Next Time....

Let the Festivus Begin....

The Monkey in the Middle Festivus, that is...

Home from the dentist (have a cavity,dang it!) and a very expensive trip to Sam's Club (I have a true love/hate relationship with that place).....

And now it's show-n-tell time, Monkey style (scroll down and read the post from this morning first if you are completely confused)...

This is what I have been working on the last week or so...and this just proves how much slower things move for me in the summertime....Yes that is a Patriotic, 4th of July inspired bell. I meant to have it done early last week (and seriously, I should have had it done a month ago).

Sometimes good intentions just don't cut it, but like a good worker bee, I am going to finish it this week and get it on Etsy....Patriotic is good year round, right (work with me)?

Let Freedom Ring...get it?

I'm not too proud to admit I did not come up with this....I told my friend Roseann that I was doing a patriotic bell ...she is already the proud owner of several of my other bells and she suggested "Let freedom Ring".....clever girl....

Couldn'tr resist some "fireworks" either, in the form of some sparkly German glass glitter...every girl needs a little bling....

And on the paper end of Sunshine & Ravioli, I have been doing some custom work....

These sweet tags are for a baby girl....a variation on my collection of blue bird tags on Etsy. We went eco-friendly with this one, using recycled pink card stock and cotton ties (not to that step yet).

Sweet birdies on ballerina pink....I am loving these! So much so that I think I may start offering this option in my Etsy store....

And there you have it...back in the saddle again....

Now hop on over and visit my good friends Kathi and Lisa, because they are back on the Monkey Bandwagon with me...it's good to have friends! :0)

If you'd like to join Monkey in the Middle Mondays (Next week will be Monday-promise I'll plan ahead), create a post on your blog and let me know about it. For the time being I will add a link here so everyone can see your WIPS (that sounds a little naughty doesn't it? Not really, Works In Progress, for those that don't know)...

Come on, it will be fun....

The Monkey is BACK.....on a Tuesday....

Well, after a much-needed trip around the world (this is my story and I'm sticking to it!), the Monkey is back...

Come on, I know you've been waiting with wringing hands and anxious thoughts...r-i-g-h-t??

Where oh where did that Monkey go?

Now if I have lost you, please hang on (seriously, I have not lost my mind)...I am about to explain....

Last Spring, we started a little weekly feature called "Monkey in the Middle Mondays"...and it was starting to catch on...A very simple idea, but scary for allot of us....show me your "Monkey (on or off your back-heehee) in the middle, the project you are in the midst of, on any given Monday. It can be anything, any medium, just something you are working on with your own two hands....

I love to watch the creative process (And there are some great blogs out there that share step by step). I think it is awesome to watch a creative crafter (or even an arteeest) take a lump (whatever that lump may be) and turn it in to something beautiful (or cute or clever or all of the above)...it inspires ME to look at things with a new perspective...

Another thing I loved (And hated) about the monkey was that HE NEVER LEFT MY BACK...he kept me creative and creating, because I had to have something to share on Monday morning...

Back in the good ol' days, a few folks join me (My friends Kathi and Lisa for starts)...things were headed in a good direction for a solid weekly feature. And then Mr. Sunshine left for Iraq. That kinda threw a big ol' monkey wrench in the well oiled Sunshine family (wait a minute, I think the Sunshine family were toys in the 70's....I thinkI had that set...they were crafty, if I remember correctly) machine. Needless to say, allot of things (including the Monkey) were put on hold until the kids and I could find our groove again.

We *think* we have a decent routine now....things move a little slower (orders don't get processed and things don't get created quite as quickly when you're doing everything else to keep two kids healthy and happy). This is not our first deployment, but it is always a HUGE adjustment when Dad leaves...there's a different rhythm every time and we have to find it....sometimes it takes awhile.

But enough from me, the main point is that Monkey in the Middle Mondays are returning and I am formally inviting you to join me...PLEASE!?!?

I promise to share the good the bad and the ugly, and I won't even make you do that. Show me your prettiest project, something you know is going to be spectacular when it's done and hide the duds (but I am showing it all)....

If you are willing to participate in my craziness, post a response or shoot me an email. If I get enough interest, I will put one of those cool link thingies at the bottom of every Monday's post So we can visit each other's Monkeys...if not, I'll keep chugging along and you can visit every Monday for a very cheap form (FREE!) of entertainment (because I am going to show it all, I promise!)....

And with that being said....I have a Dentist's appt. in an hour....I will post MY Monkey for the week this afternoon....

Until then....

A Bonus Monkey....

Can I tell you how much I love my friend Kathi at Out on a Whim Studio?

For the second week in a row, she is joining my Monkey Madness...

As a matter of fact, she's the one who reminded me earlier that I had not posted today....how's that for a friend?

And for that she she gets a special mention...

And look at this!

This is one of her completed pieces from last week....

Check out her blog because there's more where this came from....

And if you decide to participate, let me know....I'll definitely post a link and occasionally I'll post pics too (specially if I kind of cheated that week)....

Monkey Incognito....

Psssstt!!

Cover your eyes...this Monday's Monkey has gone undercover....

You see, I can't share what I am working on this week...

It's a secret....

I can tell you that I am working on a magazine deadline and give you a few little hints....

Here's a tiny portion of what I am working on right now for Create & Decorate. Notice the slightly blurry photo which furthers the air of mystery (couldn't have anything to do with the dreary weather or the rush I was in)....



Here's a hint about the colors I'm using...you've figured it out, right?

Sorry to be so mysterious......but I really can't share....
I can, however, share what I will be working on later in the week...
It's time for me to start thinking about the holidays (yes, the ones that start in October and end in December)....I'm starting on my Holiday patterns for 2008....Yes, I know it's not even Spring yet if you live in an area like mine, but...painters start working way ahead for gifts and shows....so I'm actually on the ball for a change....

Monkey on TuesdaY....

My good friend Kathi over at Out on a Whim Studio (don't you just love that name? I am a big fan of quirky, clever business names and Kathi's is one of my faves) joined yesterday's Monkey in the Middle Festivities...

Kathi is a great altered artist with a vintage/prim influence. She makes the best grungy tags ( I have a ton of them to prove it). Go check out what she's in the middle of this week....but knowing her, she's probably finished the projects in her pics- she's fast!

Oh no....

But I have a good excuse!

I got swamped (in a great way!) with orders this weekend, on top of some that I was still catching up on AND a really busy week last week (i.e. no painting time after I finished the Easter Treat Cups)....it all adds up to no monkeys this week....

Got to catch up and then I'll be playing again....soon I hope....

....sigh....

There's lots of ideas swirlin' around in the noggin'....just got to get to them...

Hope your week was a tad more creative!

:o)

A Most Likely too late for Easter MIM MONDAY....

I have developed a routine lately: for my painted pieces, seems to take me a couple of weeks to finish a pattern project (more like a tortoise than a hare). Orders have been keeping me busy, so I'm not complaining...but it makes for a rather redundant Monkey....

I have made progress on these Easter Treat buckets....

This is the little girl bunny....she still needs a face. I always seem to save faces for last because they are a challenge for me....but I have given her a name....meet Clover....

But Poppy....he's too distinguished (despite the pink coat-lol!) to be a "boy" bunny....this is definitely a grown-up...so I have named him Poppy...maybe he's the wee one's Grand Dad....He looks a bit spotty because I have already sprinkled him with German glass glitter...All he needs is a bit of the rick rack trim, a few buttons and a handle....and then.... *poof*.....he's real.....

The polka dotted pots will have my favorite quotes from my favorite hare tale: The Velveteen Rabbit.....

This project will be finished this week...pattern available by next Monday at the latest....maybe a little late for Easter but hey, good patterns never go bad....and always in season for all you wabbit fans like me....

So anybody else want to share? I promise I will post any links sent to me....ask Janna...

:o)

Here's to the start of a great, productive, creative week.....

Happy Mon-Mon-Monkey Monday!!