Guerilla Style "Random Act of Kindness" Challenge

Hello everyone, once again, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my posts. I truly appreciate it. For those of you who have been with me for quite some time, know that I have a addiction to Swap-bot.com. Yes, yes, I have even been known to lure unsuspecting crafty and artsy souls over there, to share my addiction.

I just posted a new swap, but I wanted to extend the invitation to all you you as well. You don't have to sign up at swap-bot, if you don't want too, you can just post your results here or on your own blog. All I ask is that you share your results with me and or send me the link to your blog so that I can pimp it out.

The name of my Swap is "Guerilla style Random Act of Kindness" and below is the info. I posted on Swap-Bot.

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I swap with Swap-bot!

Swap Coordinator:	sacredsnatch (contact)
Swap categories:	Art Challenges Letters & Writing
Number of people in swap:	1
Last day to signup/drop:	October 3, 2008
Date items must be sent by:	November 4, 2008
Number of swap partners:	3
Description:
Ok people, it's time to make someone feel special. I don't know about you, but when I make someone feel good, I also feel good in return. It's a win, win situation. Making someone feel special does not require money, so in this challenge, I don't want you to buy a thing. Use what you have or what is inside your beautiful mind. This swap is inspired by the book, "Guerilla Art Kit" an awesome and inspiring read. The premise of this swap is that you will make 3 pieces of art. Your call, it may be one of the following: A Doodle, A Journal entry, An uplifting quote, A random lette,r An ATC, A sticker, A poem, A mini shrine, A "Dotee Doll", A stuffie, A piece of jewelry, A mixed CD, A card or postcard with a nice note, A Photo. Anything, I am just giving some suggestions, but really, if anything, just write out an inspiring message or even a "Have A beautiful Day" message on a piece of paper. I want you to make at least 3, but you can make as many as you want. Then I want you to leave your "art" in a random place, for a random stranger to find. I then want you to take a picture of your note or art at the place you left it. Sounds like fun? I certainly hope so! I can't wait to get started myself! Here is the link to the actual Swap-bot Challenge http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/21259 Saludos, Yoli

A Day of Frida, Shopping, Arte and Crafts Galore

Ok, pobrecita, Frida, I had no idea she wore butt huggers!

So last month, ( I can't believe it has almost been a month already) Krissi and I jetted on over to the MOMA in San Francisco to A, celebrate Krissi's 32nd birthday, ::cough, cough::(she is six months older than me. Trust me, she loves to point this out) and B, Go see our girl FRIDA!
I know, I know, I talk about her all the time, but hey, what can I say, she's tight like that.

Anyhoo, if you get a chance, that show is running through the end of September and it is so worth the visit. I am even more in love with her paintings and her humor! OMG, this woman knew how to get her clown on, mmmkay? She was sick and twisted just like me! Ayeeeeeeeee!

I tried to take some pictures, but trust me, they had regulators ALL over the place, and I wasn't about to get bounced out of there before getting my fair share of Frida. I did however gank a whole bunch of postcards and programs! :-).

Hey, I look at trash with a whole new perspective. I feel it is my small contribution to being green, because the Santos know I have done my share of waste and then some. I am working on being better though. I am forever sifting through my trash and telling my friends and neighbors to give me their empty pasta and cereal boxes. (Great for book covers and postcards)

Ok, back to our awesome dia.

After our tour de Frida, we went to the gift shop where we got suckered into buying all kinds of Frida gear. I walked out with postcards, Frida paper dolls, stickers, a children's Frida Coloring book and some cards. Krissi bought a gang of gear too.

From there, we were STARVING, so we headed out to the Mission. This is Krissi's old stomping ground and she took me on a serious stroll down memory lane. I got to see "her" Mission, lemme tell you, it was bright, colorful and beautiful. Reminded me of my days back in San Jo.

We got our grub on at this taqueria, and then we checked in an awesome bakery. Remember those horns, Girl? AWESOME.

We also peeped inside Dog Eared Books, one of my favorite stops, followed by visiting this this cool little shrine, voodoo store. (I forgot the name) I bought some resin incense. I love the smell of frankincense.

After a few more blocks, we headed back to Krissi's ride and drove to Berkeley, for a quicky stop at Paprus They have a great selection of hand dyed and specialty papers. I am telling you, we were on a roll. From there, Krissi took me on a cruise down Telegrah for some herbal brownies. I AM KIDDING!. haha. I told Krissi out of all the times I had been to Berkeley, I never took the time to check out the famed Telegraph Avenue. She told me that was a complete shame and took me out for a drive by. Thank you Krissi!

From there we started our descent back home, but of course, we spied a Michael's craft store on the way, and we just couldn't pass by without stopping, right? lol

I tell ya, we got our shop on and then some. We left at 9 am and didn't get home till about 10:30 pm. It was such a great day and I really wanted to share it all with you.

After all that Fridaliciousness, I became inspired and had a lot of swaps to complete. Guess what who I sent out to all my partners?.....................

Picture time.........

this was a card I made for Krissi's birthday. It was made of recycled materials, and alcohol inks. (My latest and current favorite medium)




This was a small matchbox shrine I made for my partner. It was an actual Frida themed project. I h

This is an oldie but goodie, I made this doll last year for a fundraiser. She is an altered doll, that I hand panted and dressed up. She even came with a back brace and her body cast was made out of polymer clay. I altered the box she came in to look like one of her rooms.
I made this ornament for a recycled project. I have to still give it to my partner and since she lives in town, I plan on delivering it to her. I used alcohol inks and recycled cd's, bottlecaps and beads and charms.
This was made for a altered CD swap. I learned these techniques from the wonderful Cyndi. She tought us this class on board the Crafty Chica Cruise earlier this year. By the way, the Cruise in happening next march. If you are looking for a quick retreat of Crafts, Chica's and good food, be sure to join us. I will be teaching a class on next year's cruise.

The next two pics are ATC's I made for another swap. (Yes, I am a swap addict)





This last picture is a Frida matchbox shrine paper doll I made for Cyndi of Santa Clarita Craft Lab. Good Gawd, wait till you see what she sent me. (stay tuned)
and that concludes your daily dose of Frida. hee. My next blog will be a few features, tutorials, and upcoming events. be sure to check back.

Orale Pues,

Yoli

Paper Dolls, Fabric Casa's and Big Blunders!

I, along with Krissi, recently joined the Mixed Media Artists of Northern Califonria. (That is a big name!) This wonderful group meets monthly, and these ladies RAWK. They welcomed us with open arms, sat us down and made us get busy with demonstrations, shared their tips and before we knew it, we were sucked in! These ladies come from Stockton, Vallejo, Folsom, Sacramento and other parts of the bay. These ladies are also committed. We couldn't believe all the talent sitting there at the table. For me, it was a little intimidating, but at the same time extremely motivating! Each month, they do different challenges and demos.

So during the stormy weather, these wonderful ladies joined together this past sunday, and I just had to snap some pics of what we all made. This month's challenge was a paper doll. I never made a paper doll, so I made two. My first one looked like a whore, but my second one, came out much better.

Whore:


2nd attempt were a few artist tags I made, using my girl Frida, and I decided to make them into a doll.


here she is all "Spread" out.


One of the ladies brought this one in from a swap. I thought it was genious, and I plan on making some with my own spin!

Can you just imagine the possibilities?

Here is a group photo of all the dollies that were turned in.


They were so much fun! I highly recommend giving them a try.

After we passed around are dollies, it was time to get busy and do a project. We were to make little houses out of ATC cards and fabric. Janene (sp) made it so easy. Her pattern was super simple and we made them in no time.

Here is a pic of all the supplies I took. (I tend to go overboard, because I only needed to bring like 3 items)


This is what we came up with.

Mine is with the gold trim, Krissi's is the one with the Loteria card.


How cute are those? We only constructed them at the meeting, but were told to take them home and embellish them. The inside's are blank, so we have lots of work to do. When I finish mine, I will post it up.

Ok, comedy time. Be nice, but remember I told you Sharon took me to a pottery place for my birthday? Well we finally picked up our pieces. LMAO. Ok, first let me disclose.............. I have mad respect for ceramic artists, mmmkay? Ceramic paint all looks the same to me, and I didn't know that you seriously need to really, really coat and triple coat your paints. I did this blindly, and hoped for the best. My kid told me I oughtta be ashamed of myself. hmmmph, I would like to see him try it.




Mug 2



Kathy, you know that blog you just did about blunders? Well here are two big ones for you! Top that! haha.