Laughing Dog Arts

Sunday, May 13, 2012

200th Post! Time for a give away


Hello there, my blogging friends!  It took me awhile but I have finally reached my 200th post in this one.  I thought I had better have a give away to celebrate.  Details below.  

For now I am showing you some paper "buttons" I made after reading a tutorial on Kelli Nina Perkins blog.  They looked so pretty and I had everything I needed so why not?  If you click on Kelli's name above, it will take you to the tutorial on her blog.

They were fun and easy to make.

 I used a few on this journal page.  See them in the flowers towards the bottom?

Here is the double page spread.

When I saw these bangle bracelets on the Art Bead Scene blog, I wanted to make some.  So I did.  Click on the blog name and you will see the tutorial.  I had saved some plastic rings from lids off of mayonnaise jars and that is what I used as the bangle part of these bracelets.  Upcyclers Unite!!

Finally, in honor of all my loyal blogging friends I thought I'd give away this fantastic book by Judy Wise and Stephanie Lee.  Plaster Studio.  Mixed media techniques for painting, casting and sculpting.  I love the book but have decided that I'm not going to be making good use of it so would like to pass it on to one of you.  Please leave a comment on this post telling me you want your name in the drawing for it.  I'll draw a name on May 19th.

I found evidence of more upcycling in the natural world when I was cleaning out behind some books on a shelf in my studio.  Beautiful mouse nest!  Luckily I must have caught the mouse before they actually used this nest, it is a constant battle to keep up with the little furry critters.  There are bits of fabric, tissue paper and of course the peacock feathers.

So that is what I have been up to when I'm not outside working in the garden.  Hope you all are having a fine spring.  Don't forget to leave a comment if you want to be in the drawing for the Plaster Studio book.  I'll announce the winner next Sunday.  Till then,
Be well.
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18 comments:

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

congratulations on your 200th post. I always enjoy a visit here. Your buttons are cool. I always like the look of paint on printed text.
xx, Carol

Els said...

The buttons are really fun (must try that ...) and they look so lovely on your journal page !
That mouse must be an artist don't you think ?
And ofcourse congrats on perseverance in blogging .... ;-)

DIAN said...

What gorgeous buttons. I would love to be in the draw. thanks for the links to tutorials.

Emma said...

Wow, 300! I love reading things here & looking at all your lovely work. Beautiful buttons too, must have a go.

Please count me in for the draw but it may be too far to mail. you could take a pic of each page & do a weekly post for us all....or is that slight copywrite infringement.......
;)

maddyrose said...

Those buttons look like a lot of fun and will have to try making a few of them myself. I'd love to be entered in drawing. I'm a sucker for art and how-to books. You know, until you showed the photo of the mouse nest I never gave their living quarters a thought. How lucky for the builder of this nest there were so many great materials to work with. Congrats on arriving at the 200 post mark and here's to 200 more.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

OMGosh....even the mice know Mr. Mels feathers were special! That has to be the prettiest mouse-house I've even seen (and believe me, I've seen more than I care to....)
Yup, please pop me in the draw and big congrats on your 200th post. Time flies, doesn't it???
Love your paper buttons; I think they turned out prettier than the ones in the tutorial. I still have to try them, along with about 100 other things. LOL! Too many ideas, too slow a body. :-)
Love the ivy BG.

XXOO~~
Anne...who is probably forgetting something...

nacherluver said...

Wow! Congrats on your achievement! Always so creative Jan. Beautiful buttons, journal pages and bracelets! No wonder your mice don't settle for plain old nests. They must be inspired by observing you!

Elena said...

You are such a sweet inspiration! Your creations as colorful and unpretentious as you are. So cool! Congrats on your 200! No need to put me in giveaway...your posts and links are good enough for me.

April said...

200 Posts! Congrats, Jan!!! That's fantastic! Loving your paper buttons! Maybe you'll give us a workshop for those. I think our S&B girls would love that. Haven't had a chance to see the tutorial yet, but I will.
No need to put me in the drawing, but I just had to leave a comment. You must have every art book that there is. Someone is going to be so lucky to receive this one!!!
Congrats again, my friend!!!

Karen S said...

Oooh -- count me in! I love your paper buttons -- I agree with Anne -- yours are much prettier. I would love to know more about how you made them!

sjmcdowell said...

Hi my friend,

Congratulations on having 200 followers!!! I know I could not believe it when I reached 200 either!!

What wonderful Paper buttons you have created...I did not know they even existed!! I may have to do a trade with you. You are so talented.

I think you have a very creative mouse to make such a lovely nest!!! :)

Please count me in you wonderful giveaway Jan!!

Hugs and Smiles,

Susan
xxoo

bois-fleurie said...

Love your buttons but think I am too late to enter your give away. Love your blog as well its always so interesting jill

Linda Vincent said...

Congrats Jan! 200 posts and you're still doing a great job :-) I really like those buttons - thanks for the link....I'm off to take a look.
Gorgeous journal pages too; the left one would make a wonderful design for a seed packet. :-)
XX

Anonymous said...

Those buttons look almost like dichroic glass in spots. Very fun. 200 posts, congrats. I know you will understand this but I love finding those mouse nests they are so resourceful and I feel like I have brambly hedge happening in the house. We do have to get them out but part of me wishes we could coexist. xox

Gill said...

I love the buttons! Thank you for the link - I'm off to check it out!

Mary Fox of Fox On The Run said...

The buttons and bangles are so beautiful, Jan. Even though you might use a tutorial, you always put your own twist on your work...so pretty. God bless your day.

mimilove forever said...

ooo LOVE your buttons, just want to scoop them all up...gorgeous colours! x

Deborah said...

LOVE your buttons! Just had to run over from Anne's to see more. You so clever! **kisskiss** Deb