In defense of glitter.

I like glitter.

Pretty simple really. I remember learning how to use it at my Grandma's dining room table. How to tap the paper and catch the glitter on the glue. She taught me to put a paper under and rescue the glitter that fell. Magic.

Who knew it was so controversial?

Seems that people do...I found a blog "Art teachers hate glitter". It's really funny, and I like it. But rather ironic, since that IS what I wanted to be, an art teacher!

Seems, I am a bit of a rebel, I don't think the medium defines the art. I love glitter because it takes everyday objects and makes them...sparkle. :) I don't know, girls like shiny things.

I have a bit of glitter...

Terrifying isn't it?....only the top drawer.

Here are some of my vintage favorites...

Vintage inspired pipe cleaner elves

Last night I watched antique roadshow...and I let myself fantasize that in years to come, someone would bring one of my creations to the roadshow. They would appraise it. "This is a Karen June piece, she was ahead of her time. Her use of glitter raised it out of the craft realm to a fine art..." Ha...a girl can dream!

KJ

autumn crafts!

Well, it is stil hot outside, but every crafter knows, you have to work ahead. So here is a preview of some items I took to the vintage roost in North Albany for their fall sale!

Owls all glittered up and ready to go!

(black glitter is so slimming!)

cute little owl with a hat!

fall items

don't touch my nuts!

orange glitter is fun!

close up of the little glass cat!

tiny match box art!

vintage german glitter and old school paper some of my favorite things!

I am back to school and busy, but never too busy to glitter a little bit! 



projects, this and that!

We have been talking about removing the unslightly coat rack at the bottom of our stairs for a while. It is the place where everyone throws everything. And when space is at a premium, I am always looking for space saving solutions. I thought maybe a trip to Ikea was in our future, but the answer cost us less than $5.00.

This is an old board salvaged from my grandma's house...I think it came from the back porch. It has been painted several times.

This makes me very happy to look at as I come down the stairs!

Here is a little owl that has been improved with glitter!

I found two of these little guys at St. Vinnies...so here is the before and after!

Glitter....it is amazing!

Little acorn man~

tiny pink elephant!

These are some things I have been making as summer quickly draws to a close...and rest assured a trip to Ikea is always in our future!

Drawing journal

I do not scrap book. Do not even ask me. I love to craft, but when it comes to scrapbooking, I draw the line...

One of the things I do just for fun is to draw journal. Think about doodling on the side of a paper and how much fun that can be... I draw to relax, and enjoy the process. Let me show you what I am talking about.
Recently I went to the beach for a "week-end" time with childhood/college friends. Here is a photo from our time together

In Long beach Washington there is a huge skillet that was used for some big clam fry. Our goal was to get a picture of us three in front of the skillet. So there we are, our dream came true!

Here is my drawing about our time together!

And here is another page...

The lightness of summer

This summer I am taking some courses on line. So in between running after kids, cats, dog and hubby, I get to sit down at the computer and think some DEEP THOUGHTS. While that helps me feel like "little miss smarty pants" it hasn't helped my finding creative time of late. So this week, I carved out some time and let myself play! And I think it shows in my creations...

This little pink elephant makes me happy. First my son used to love elephants as a child. And my mother-in-law used to make a pink champane cake with pink eleghants on it for 21st birthdays~

I found this little alien from toy story in a bin at the "by the pound" Goodwill outlet. He challenged me to make something out of him. So, I took that challenge, gave him a balloon and a little box and there you go. Too cute.

This little cupcake has a childs toy on it for a "cherry" I found a bunch of these little balls, and I thought, they just look so happy...so I made a little happy cupcake and a cute little silly squirrel to sit on top.

so...I suppose I should back to my philosophy paper.
Happy Summer!
Karen

what HAVE I been doing????

I have been absent, because I have been busy...I had a big event that I helped put on at my school (I teach at a private Christian high school). And that was like putting on a small wedding. First, here are some pictures of the decor that I mainly purchased at thrift stores and "dolled" up for the event. The theme was Masquearade...

Table decor

every table different...frames for gifts for the seniors!

It was a lovely evening, and it was fun to plan and put together...but it took all the creative juices right out of me for a while!

Now I am officially on summer break and the summer is laid before me with great potential! I hope to craft, and play house, and cook lots, and laugh lots and read lots...(my dear hubby bought me a kindle for Mothers Day, and now I hardly ever put it down). I have no big plans, a couple of weddings, the fourth of July at Long Beach, and family reunion to go to...one of my favorite things I am looking forward to do is get away to the beach with 2 of my dearest growing up and college friends! That time is going to be special! I can't wait to talk and laugh and just be girls again!

 For now, I am going to unset the alarm on my phone and get ready to watch Knomio and Juliet with my girls!

Before and after

Before

after

before

after

See...glitter does make everything better!