Monday, July 28, 2014

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling, Keep The Blog Tour Rolling....

Several weeks ago one of my blogging buddies, Betsy at My Salvaged Treasures, invited me to come along on a blog tour.  What a fun opportunity to visit old friends and make some new ones along the way!
Betsy is the Queen of re-purposing!  She has a fort and a magic garage where junk goes in and treasure comes out.  She has so many great ideas I don't even know how she finds time to sleep!  If you are not familiar with her blog I recommend you pop on over and check it out.  You can also learn about her creative process and meet some new friends on her blog tour post.
Now down to the business of the blog tour....I am supposed to answer 4 questions.
#1:  What am I working on?
A Spring junking excursion netted me three Styrofoam wig heads.  I didn't know what I would do with them at the time, which is often the case.  I have learned to pay attention to the little tickle in the back of brain that tells me that if I buy it, the inspiration will come.  They are still a work in progress but I have already found stands for two of them.  Check back in a week or so to see the finished project.
#2:  How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don't really know that it does!  The thing about altered art or mixed media or whatever name you give it, is that no matter where the inspiration starts, it always ends somewhere that is uniquely your own.  By using found objects and vintage treasures, your work is never exactly the same as something made by someone else.
#3:  Why do I write/create what I do?
This one is easy, I have no choice!  A creative co-worker described it perfectly just a few days ago.  Life's obligations have been getting in her way and she said her head is so filled with ideas and she just has to get them OUT before she bursts.  I have no unique talents, just an insatiable need to make things.  If I had nothing to work with except sticks and mud, I would still make something.
#4:  How does your writing/creating process work?
I wish I could tell you I have a magic spell that gets the muse to come out and play any time you want, but I don't.  She is a fickle friend and I find I have to play according to her schedule or she takes her magic and goes home.  When she comes calling I do my best to take the queue from her and follow her lead.

Next, I am pleased to introduce you to a couple of blogging buddies I invited along on the tour.  They each have different and distinctive styles that are equally charming and inspiring to me.
Maureen at Victorian Studio is an aficionado of everything Tim Holtz and shares my love of steampunk. She makes amazing videos about her creations!
I am Maureen from the blog "Victorian Studio" - a Canuck with a penchant for all things old English, Steampunk and rustic. I love to create in my studio (in the company of at least one of my three felines) learning new artistic techniques along the way. I enjoy sharing my creations online and discovering other bloggers from around the world who share similar preoccupations with antiques, vintage and crafting.
Laure at Indulge Your Shelf shares my passion for lace and buttons.  She loves all things Audrey, vintage Vera and robin's egg blue.  I adore her lace books!
Laurie lives on the Colorado plains with her husband of 23 years and her son, who will be a high school Senior this Fall.  She has a full time clerical job but would rather be writing, treasure hunting in thrift shops, and making art.  She makes journals, collages and textile art from her stash of wonderful old stuff, and dabbles in jewelry, painting and anything else that strikes her fancy.
A big thank you to Betsy for inviting me along on the tour PLUS she inspired me to finally dip my toe in PicMonkey and try making photo collages.  I am one lucky girl to have found this inspiring tribe of women!

18 comments:

Annette said...

I love this post. Your collages are great!!! It is always fun to see what people say when asked a question about themselves. Now I am off to take a tour.

Art and Sand said...

I am back from a 10 day vacation and blogging break and trying to catch up.

I love your collages of both Betsy's work and your work. I think your work differs in that you use fun and crazy stuff in addition to lace & buttons. You turn creepy doll faces and heads into fun pieces.

Have a great week!

Blessed Serendipity said...

I love seeing some of your work Kathy. Those collaged wig heads are amazing. I love your shadow boxes and altered books too. I think that allowing ourselves to be creative and make things is good for the soul.

xo Danielle

Laurie said...

Beautiful post, Kathy, I am thrilled to be included!

Patty Antle said...

Your collages are beautiful, Kathy. Love your work too. Need to check the other blogs. They look interesting too.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Thanks so much Kathy for joining me on the blog tour, it's been a fun ride:-) I love the collages you created of my junky junk and also the ones you created featuring all your awesome projects. I know Maureen and Laurie and will be looking forward to their stop on the tour next week.

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Fun to see another glimpse into the studio and what you do. The collages are super fun!

The Junque Seeker said...

Really enjoyed reading your post, and learning about new bloggers to follow. I got a styrofoam head this weekend that requires covering. Thanks for the inspiration!

My Garden Diaries said...

Really loved learning more about you friend! And I loved the part about getting it out there! You have so many inspiring pieces that you make! It is such a delight to come by your space! Happy making! Nicole xo

Maureen said...

Thank you for the invitation to play along Kathy! Love your collages too, and the styrofoam heads are going to be awesome. Love that you listen to your inner voice to pick up items for future projects - so very true! Looking forward to continuing the tour next Monday.

Beth Leintz said...

What a fun post full of inspiration! (Love your blog tour pictures too- you have incredible collections!)

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Kathy, love this blog tour and the collages of works. Your work and creations are amazing because you use what so many would pass on but you turn odd treasures into wonderful works of art.
Love the Styrofoam heads. They look like they are going to be awesome when you finish your magic on them.

Thanks for sharing and always the inspiration you share.
Hugs

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Your new wig head ladies are looking spiffy! Those are so neat!! I always enjoy seeing your pretty art work, neat and interesting altered boxes are always lovely and full of inspiration! Thanks for always sharing too! Have a sweet day! xo Holly

Annette said...

The heads are looking very interesting...can't wait to see them finished! My muse and I can't seem to get together at the same time lately. Hate when that happens!

Curtains in My Tree said...


I like your one head 1 /2 covered where one eye is not covered.
I don't know how you do all you do, seems like when I get home from work I just want to eat and set down in my big easy chair LOL
I love seeing all your treasures

CATHY said...

What a fun post Kathy - and I love the collage of photos! and do not say you you do not have a unique talent because you do! And your art is your own - you have a wonderful way of putting colors and vintage ephemera together. Off to visit the blogs you are featuring.

must love junk said...

Kathy, I loved learning more about you! Your altered art creations are so unique and fun! :)
Susan

Our Hopeful Home said...

Sticks and mud- I love it! Such a well- written post. Thanks for sharing your creative process and blog friends. And thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm a new follower.
Xo kathleen