Since I am really enjoying the paper collage process, and want to do additional pieces, I needed more stamps to make the paper. Hand made stamps are really so much better than the commercial ones I think. Your own stamp creates paper that is truly made by you. The process is quite simple. Roy cut several blocks of wood in various sizes. I had several sheets of the black foam that is adhesive backed. I sanded the blocks and sprayed them on all surfaces with an acrylic to add a bit of protection to the raw wood. It is important to clean the stamps with water so this was necessary to preserve them. I drew the stamp design on the back side (where the white paper is) and then cut the design out with tiny scissors. Remove the sticky paper and put the design pieces in the wood block. As an added bonus, you will end up with uniquely shaped scraps that you can attach to another stamp block for an additional stamp design.
I played around with the first two stamps on a piece of deli paper and really like the results.
I stamped an image on the deli paper, let it dry, cut it out, and using Mod Podge, adhered it to the top of the block. this way I know what the stamp looks like and which part of the design is at the top.
Here are the five finished stamps, ready to create paper! Go make some stamps. It is easy, it is fun, and no one in the entire world will have stamps like yours!
I recently picked up two pairs of canvas shoes, a black and a pink. I switched the laces out and added paint. How fun are these! ?! 
Go paint some shoes right now!
One year ago today I created this blog and had no idea it would become what it is today. On the annual anniversary, the ClusterMap counter on the right side of the blog is removed and then replaced, apparently starting over. I did note this morning, however, that in this past year I have been "visited" 4, 996 times. Almost went over 5000! This is the most amazing thing to me. In addition, those visits represent 87 countries around the world. I am humbled that so many of you come here to see what's happening in my incredibly average life. Thanks to all of you for your comments and encouragement in my art endeavors. I appreciate each of you and hope to continue this adventure in global sharing. And the beat goes on! Lets go through the next year together!
This is the third work in the series of "Women Who Dance" As I looked at them hanging together I decided to frame each of them and present them as a triptych. 
Here you can see all three together. They seem to relate to each other and I don't think they should be separated. So, a triptych it will be.
....of the Erosion Bundle Project of 2010. On January 1, 2010 the items you see here were wrapped up in burlap and placed out in the elements for 3 1/2 months. Known as the Erosion Bundle Project of 2010, the premise of the project was to observe an artist's collaboration with nature, to see the effects of this partnership on selected items.
This photograph shows the "bundle" on April 15, 2010, remarkable in its good condition after so long outside in the winter of much snow and rain and cold.
The model on this vintage VOGUE magazine cover does show wear and something that looks like mold. Additionally a small spider did crawl out as I unwrapped the layers.
Ohhhhhhh.....yyyyeeessssss!!
It was time to challenge myself in the very best way. I have always been afraid to even TRY to draw a face. I have taken the lazy way out in the past and the time was now to do this. With encouragement and some direction from my dear Aunt in New Mexico, a fabulous watercolorist, I got out paper and pencil and went for it. I am really quite happy with my first efforts! I mean, REALLY happy!
Now, how to use these faces? I made some speciality paper, using stamps I had made as well as some commercial ones. I made black paper with white designs, white paper with black designs, some tan pieces and some gold.
I laid down some black acrylic paint on parchment paper and then drew a basic form with white gesso.
Using the papers I had made, I laid down random pieces to cover the form. As you look at the next few photographs, you will see how the look changes as I continue to add papers. Eventually, there was a fleur de lis on her chest that got covered up and the look is much better. This collage process is quite forgiving as you can add and cover up at will.
We took our walking sticks and the camera and embarked on a short tour of the grounds immediately surrounding our home, just to see what is blooming. What fun to discover Spring. Most of the plants I am not able to identify but I DO know this is forsythia. 
This is so cute it is just painful! Happy Easter to all my readers!
This would be Roy, exhibiting his "Sign of Spring". 
And this would be mine. Pansies are a childhood memory for me. I remember my Grandmother planting pansies, many pansies, in a flower border at the back of her home which we shared with her. She was partial to every color.
I played around with the first two stamps on a piece of deli paper and really like the results.
I stamped an image on the deli paper, let it dry, cut it out, and using Mod Podge, adhered it to the top of the block. this way I know what the stamp looks like and which part of the design is at the top.
Here are the five finished stamps, ready to create paper! Go make some stamps. It is easy, it is fun, and no one in the entire world will have stamps like yours!
Go paint some shoes right now!
Here you can see all three together. They seem to relate to each other and I don't think they should be separated. So, a triptych it will be.
The model on this vintage VOGUE magazine cover does show wear and something that looks like mold. Additionally a small spider did crawl out as I unwrapped the layers.
The inclusion of rusty nails and pieces of metal resulted in this wonderful rusty fabric!
Here you can see all of the materials in the bundle after their time outside.
The next step is to create a piece of art work using these nature-altered items. This will take some thought......
Now, how to use these faces? I made some speciality paper, using stamps I had made as well as some commercial ones. I made black paper with white designs, white paper with black designs, some tan pieces and some gold.
I laid down some black acrylic paint on parchment paper and then drew a basic form with white gesso.
Using the papers I had made, I laid down random pieces to cover the form. As you look at the next few photographs, you will see how the look changes as I continue to add papers. Eventually, there was a fleur de lis on her chest that got covered up and the look is much better. This collage process is quite forgiving as you can add and cover up at will.
Almost finished, but not quite! Moving and removing areas as I get comfortable with her, I added an olive green stencil in the Background, and then with my fingers and some dove gray paint, I muted it. This collage stuff is fun!
Oh yes, the second piece is underway.......
These are flowering plants near the front door and seem to have bloomed overnight!
After it was over we went to our favorite Erie restaurant, "Pufferbellys" on French Street. Roy had the Greek salad and I had the tomato and basil bruschetta. Eating light has a benefit; dessert!
Roy had peanut butter pie and I ordered an apple, cinnamon, and walnut bread pudding. The weather was warm and all during the drive home we noticed daffodils everywhere along the road side. They seem to have just bloomed overnight! A very special day we will remember for a long time.
And this would be mine. Pansies are a childhood memory for me. I remember my Grandmother planting pansies, many pansies, in a flower border at the back of her home which we shared with her. She was partial to every color.
