hellllllllllllooOOooooo!

yea....ive been mia for a while....honestly.....ive been so busy...during the day i take care of my little darlin boy michael...and at night when hes sleeping..im just beat...so i usually fall asleep maybe an hour after him...i have however...been creating some pieces...some cards..ect... i have been desperately creating all types of cards, mixed media projects, layouts for callings because i really want to get published this year...i look in magazines...and while some....actually..ill even go ahead and say most projects in them are just stunning and beautifully crafted...there are those 15% that i think what the heck...why are they not only published..but some actually get covers too..
but yea....hopefully my dream will come true some time soon...lol

heres a mixed media prokect i finished about a week or so ago..



(this is the top)







also....heres some cards i finished.








ill be uploading another project that im pretty much finished with..just adding some finishing touches....so hopefully by tonight ill have it up here.

i've been a very busy gal

wow...i know..i know..it's been quite a bit since i posted last...i have to be honest...no excuses...its just pure laziness...i take care of my little monster all day and by the end of the night i am soooo beat that im not far behind him when he goes to bed....but yea....some serious update-age to talk about...first off....last wednesday -18th- i got my first tattoo....on the inside of my wrist ...and its the chinese symbol for strength....so yea....monday comes around and i find myself back at the tat shop getting another one...this one is positioned on the lower part of my neck..and its the chinese symbol for faith..the first one took about 5 minutes...its about a quarter-sized tat...tiny...the second one took about 45 minutes..and its bigger...i honestly got the tattoo bug..i want more!!! haha..and to the question of does it hurt...honestly...to me...i wouldnt consider it *pain* -- its more irritating...not bad in the least... ok heres some pictures of them -


this is the tattoo on the lower neck...


and heres the wrist

so on to projects - ive been working on quite a few....cards, swaps, some paintings and mixed media/ layouts...so yea..ive been sooo busy!!

heres a little button fairy i completed a few days ago...one of my very addicting little trinkets to create! -



also..heres a layout i just created...like 30 minutes ago..and also a card i made a few days ago -





and finally..heres some new goodies i've bought and got from some swaps im in...aint i lucky? hehe





toodles!

dollie mollie

soo...as i stated on my previous posts, ive been working on a doll...well...i finished and honestly...i like the way it came out...i dont like the way the pictures came out....i took like 100 and everyone was blurry...cropped weird or just blah...i probably shouldnt give up and just keep taking picture/uploading them to see if one comes out nice...but i just really dont want to do that...so the pictures i did take and picked are going to have to do...for now at least...
so..heres miss dollie mollie...


that is the front...


and back

i did embellish the sides but...like i said...not taking any more pictures..lol..

i actually made this doll with the cheapest materials ever...i found a porcelain doll in my local dollar store...so i bought 5 of them to dismantle and collect the arms and legs...i did this because the legs and arms i really wanted on artchix were sold out and i really wanted to work on her...so yea..i left the arms as is and painted striped black & white stockings using paint and marker...as for the body....i found a wooden square block while playing with my son with his building blocks...and the rest was just rubons, papers, heart brad, flowers, made the hat myself, rhinestones and photo. i positioned the arms and legs on with those hook screws..and just binded the arms/legs to the hooks with twine. i have made a few dolls in my day...and this isnt my best..but i enjoy making them...i think they are the cutest little things and are really simple to make.
also...the quote spread out on the front of her body reads " where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art"
i really love that quote, written by da vinci.

anyways...also at the dollar store, i picked up a small box to alter...i had just gotten some adorable sassafrass papers and wanted to use them real bad...so heres my little altered box... :oP



just a little creation to store some odds and ends in.

okie...well...thats all for now..i applied to a dt team and im waiting for feedback is i made it in. so cross your fingers!!! ;o)

goodnight!

happy wednesday!

sooo....im in a lot of swaps....i actually adore swapping...and i know im addicted to it....all my swaps are awesome...i get a tonnn of beautiful goodies..and i appreciate everything...but one of the swaps im in is a mothers day swap....and my partner was my friend charlotte...who im in a few other swaps with...well...i recieved a box today...and inside was just magical...prima flowers, beautiful pattern papers, stamps, rhinestones, tim holtz game spinners and tickets, a gorgeous altered box & can....just tons and tons of amazing products.....yanno..i cant even describe it...so here...look and see...hehe




so yea....im a VERY lucky gal!!! i cant WAIT to just dive into these goods and start playing with them!!!

anyways...im working on a few cute pieces....one of them being an adorable wood doll that im ALMOST done with and will be posting either tonight or tomorrow...so until then.....byee byee!!

wow, its been a while!

ive been mia for a week or so....life is just toooooo hectic sometimes. i finally completed a layout - its been a little over a month since i worked on one and it felt good...kinda got me back in the spirit of scrapbooking since ive been mainly working on mixed media projects, collage art and painting. so it was a nice little pick me up...and i loved the way it came out...i swear sassafrass is probably one of my top 3 favorite paper lines...they have the most adorable embellishments and products! anyways ...heres the layout i just finished -





also - heres a little whimsy sweet nothing i created a few hours ago. i just adore copper foil tape :o)






i got that quote from the movie sweeney todd...which i love...that movie is very particular - either you really love it - or hate it....then again johnny depp makes anything look sexy...heh...and i am a big fan of tim burton...
well...thats about it....my minds like fried out tonight...so im going to sit on my bed, eat icecream and watch some tv....bye

happy valentines day

this valentines day was a little sad for me....just a bunch of drama going on in my life....and it stinks!! but on a good note ...i took these adorable pictures of my little bear modeling his new pair of jeans..... this should be the face for ck!!! lol






isn't he just adorable? hes my sunshine..my best friend...i love him sooo much...honestly..i always used to hear that the love for a child is just indescribable...but couldnt relate until i had him..and now i understand truly how that feels...
anyways.....enough mushy stuff....i have had such a hectic week! honestly...i havent gotten much done....just one thing after another....ive been working on my journal for this postcard circle journal swap im in....and i finished my pages and cover and mailed it out yesterday...and im excited about it because i LOVE circle journal swaps...also...did some shopping....and...how GORGEOUS is primas new mulberry stitched pattern papers? L-O-V-E them....also...sassafrass has some delicious new goodies....ahh...isn't spending money just lovely? haha...
anyways...heres a canvas i finished a bit ago....im still iffy about it....i have mixed feelings about it... the alignment is a tad off...but im being lazy so yea...sorry about that..lol





also...i went fabric shopping the other day and came across this beautiful heidi grace fabric....a little pricey...$7 a yd...but well worth it. also i picked up more muslin and cheesecloth..



(i took a kazillion pictures and they all came out either really blurry or slightly blurry...so this pic is as good as it gets!)
i really need to buy a tripod... just another thing to add to my wishlist

well....thats it...im going to try and finish this canvas ive been working on for a few days...and also im trying to finish a layout, some cards, atcs, inchies and this green project ive been working on for somerset...as well as a halloween piece for somerset....yea im a busy little bee aint i? heh.

have a great weekend everyone!

its my bday today!!!

happy birthday to me
happy birthday to me
happy birthday to nicole
happy birthday to me
22 years old!!! woooohooo

haha i know..im a dork. :oP

what a hectic weekend!

soo...this weekend was very productive....i made quite a few pieces, some cards, a layout on top of taking care of my very energetic son...i swear...kids just never get tired..they have such a energy about them that honestly i would love to have..but instead of having that energy playing with toys and such - id rather have it playing with my *toys* aka art supplies..heh.

i must say...browsing through the *blog world* is not only so inspirational to me...but viewing other peoples work is so special..seeing pieces that they put their heart and soul into...its just something only us artists can truly understand..:oP~

anyways...heres some Valentine cards that i made ; nothing spectacular...






also...heres a block i made...it's a square wooden block...i altered it all around but heres just a few pictures of some of the sides ;








okie....finally....a canvas i created and another page to my *altered book* im making ;



for this canvas...i used tons and tons of layers....and did the *credit card swipe* technique...you take an old credit card and swipe desired color paint on it..and just drag it across the canvas...also...on top of swiping it across..i also swiped it down in quick motions..i like the effect it gives....




for this piece...i wanted it to be sort of *dreamy* ... a collage of elements that wouldn't make sense unless its in a dream...and what better quote to use then one of my favorite poets; edgar allan poe.... i just went buck wild on this one....a no holds bargain piece..and im satisfied with the results...i also have been on a used dryer sheets binge...i love the texture it gives ...and also when soaked in inks really absorbs color nicely...

well, thats it now for....:o) i hope everyone is enjoying their *sunday* ...with the whole superbowl and all...
adios

..

so...living in new york does have it's benefits - great pizza, cheesecake and hotdogs...the whole *manhattan nightlife* scene...the shopping and some great scenery...BUT nothing compares - or even comes close to floridas sky. i haven't veen to florida in about 4 years but i will be going back when my son is just a tad older - probably to take him to disney world. so when he's enjoying the rides - ill be enjoying the gorgeous views...oh who am i kidding - i'll be enjoying the rides as well...lol :oP



above is a picture i took in epcot standing right in the middle of the *countries*
the alignment is a TAD bit off - but i was always one for imperfections

just some random blabbering

so..like my previous post stated....i've been working on a book...it's a book about whimsy characters, sweet nothings and stuff that interests me. here's the first two pages;






the second page is not complete yet, i still have to add a few more elements and some text, but all in all - i think its coming along fairly well. i've become obsessed with soaking cheesecloth or gauze in some alcohol inks and then dipping it in bleach to fade some color - the result is interesting. so yea...ive been working my tush off...as far as this 'design team' call i entered into - everyone was supposed to get an email stating who was accepted in - and no word yet...but one thing i realized - being in the 'art world' there will be a ton of let- downs and disappointments...you just have to pick yourself right back up, brush it off and work even harder.

anyways - right now i'm working on an "all green" project for a calling for somerset. i'm really diggin my idea ...i've already did a few draft sketches - and all in all - they all have the same concept- just a few different elements on each one. but what usually happens is - i will sketch all i want - but when i actually START working on a piece - ideas and inspiration just all rush upon me and usually...probably 80% of the time..the sketches will have SOME similarities - but after completing my piece...it rarely looks anything like the sketch.

okie, i know i go on an on. so ill sum this all up with a so long , have a great day, adios, ciao

just a quickie

so..im working on a few things right now...actually..scratch that..im working on A LOT of things right now....first being a halloween art piece for somersets halloween 09 calling...a christmas art piece for somersets calling....a "green" project for somerset, layouts, atcs, inchies, on top of sorting out swaps...so yea..lifes hectic. i love it though - it keeps me going. im also working on a piece...and the title is unknown yet. its a whimsy, very playful collage - mixed media book..im going to post a picture of the first page later on tonight, along with ATCS ive finished... - but for right now heres a layout i just finished ---

happy friday

i am SO happy it's friday!!! ughh this week was a little tough for me. but lets not talk about the bad stuff - the good stuff is that i submitted a "resume" to someone who is looking for FOUR people to be on her design team - i'd have to make 4 layouts a month plus a non lo - which is a breeze. i really dont want to get my hopes up because if i dont get picked - it will be a huge disappointment - but i hope i do ...so cross your fingers for me!! heh...

ok. i recently stopped by michels arts and crafts store - which i havent been to in about 2 weeks (which is a LONG time for me , lol) so i walked in - and what do i see? a WHOLE NEW LINE OF GORGEOUS PRIMA, MAKING MEMORIES, COLORBOK and BASIC GREY products. ok...the prima products are just amazing -- i bought EVERYTHING i could - they have really pretty flowers in a bucket - pretty rhinestone flourishes, diecuts, ribbons, PAPER, journaling stickers and rubons....i was in heaven because prima is one of my top 4 ultimate favorite lines...and then..the NEW making memories line "sabrina" is out of the world adorable...AND colorbok has an adorable new line called "friendly forest" - all cute little forest animals....i took a picture of the new goodies i bought - here it is : (ps) sorry about the goodies being on my bed - lol


** these are all making memories and colorbok products **


** all prima products **

so yea.....im on cloud 9 right now...and the best part is yesterday i got a michaels gift card for $150 so you all can bet i'll be back there tonight buying more goodies...i swear the workers in michaels, ac moore, joannes, and craftique (craft store in brooklyn) see me there so much...at one point when i used to walk in the store - i'd be sooooo embarassed because they must have thought i probably have no life , but now i just dont care...lol. i really need to start putting a *dent* in the stuff i have already - because i have a shopping addiction when it comes to art products. i will buy and buy AND BUY - yet i have SOOOOOOO many things that i haven't even touched - so after this trip to michaels tonight, im going to start using my stuff before i do more shopping - i said im gonna TRY - cant promise anything..heh.

so, heres some misc pictures of the most recent layouts i created, AND some pictures of my gorgeous son getting his first haircut!






i love that little boy so much . he is such a blessing..anyways, just pictures of 2 recent layouts i created. (also posted on my sb.com page)






okie ; im off to browse through the new valentines publication from somerset called "in love"
**if you haven't bought it yet, GO GET IT!!!! (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT) i read it at least 3 times and i can't get enough of it - the work is simply divine...very talented and inspiring women!!!

okie - hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

xoxo, nikki

will you be my .v.a.l.e.n.t.i.n.e. {?}

so, i know it's a little early to be posting Valentines Day work - but i just can't help myself. I am in love with Valentine's Day - the colors - the feelings - the pretty flowers - the mushy movies - everything that has to do with *love* ....plus, half of my inspiration for creating art work for this years Valentines Day was the special edition of somerset 2009 called "in love." all the publications were gorgeous photos of different pages that a few VERY talented women did for a round robin. the inspiration that each page gave me was just unexplainable. i highly recommend buying that book - i just cant explain the beauty - it just has to be seen....

anyways - as i was saying before, i started working on some Valentines projects- one being a swap that i am participating in on http://www.scrapbook.com/ . here are a few photos of the end results --

also - i started up an art journal -- just for random everyday artwork that i might be too afraid to put on a layout or canvas - or just to basically escape and have the freedom to do whatever i want to do in it. heres a few photos so far --


(this is the front cover)









(this image was inspired by somersets valentine special publication titled *in love* i lifted the quote off of one of the very and many talented artists in that book.