GIVEAWAYS

I am keeping this post on top of all my other posts so that as you come here you can tell what giveaways are in progress. Then you can scroll down to enter and also read some of my on going rants and raves. :}

I would be pleased if you would FOLLOW ME so you will know immediately when I post another giveaway.

Giveaways so far:

Two giveaways posted on JUNE 1st

One giveaway will be posted Monday at 10am - AND THE WINNER IS BET!!!!

I'm off to Sandcastle Siren's Art Retreat

THE WINNER OF THIS LITTLE LOVELY ART TRADE IS BET!!! yAY CONGRATS, HOPE YOU LOVE IT!!!

I am off and running to my Art Retreat. I am scheduling this post to appear after we are at the retreat so my friends can't get a peak at what I am bringing as my "Art Trade". How cool is blogger?

Anway, here's some pictures of my Art Trade creations in progress and then the finished products.

After the weekend, I'll post pictures of the fun time I'm sure we will have had. So check back.

Monday morning I will giveaway one of my "Art Trades". I made an extra just FOR YOU! Post a comment and I will draw a winner Monday morning.

Have a great weekend.


From little fishes comes Art. My husband used to ride dirt bikes up in the desert with friends and would take along some snacks ....canned sardines and oysters.

Well these cans have been stored in our garage for over 15 years...yes, I am the keeper of STUFF. When I layed my eyes on them everything came into place for me...I knew what I could make as an Art Trade.

I opened the cans......





Got rid of the contents...sorry...
After I sent these little sardines down the garage disposal I realized these would have been great in my compost bin. darn it!!!


Cleaned these oily little cans. Then started collaging and decorating.






Here's the finished little "Art Trades". I hope everyone likes them.










I wrapped each "Art Trade" in tissue paper and put in a little package for each participant. I had my husband pick one so I have no idea which one you will receive but I will be drawing a name for one little "Art Trade" Monday morning at 10am. So leave a post and I will pick a winner. Come back to claim your prize!

Whereda get that stuff?
I had the cans and papers and embellishments....all from my STUFF
Clip Art of mermaids and vintage beach scenes from Altered Pages.

It Never Rains in California?

I had to put a post on my blog because I am feeling sorry for myself today. I have been working FEVERishly on my Art Trades for Sandcastle Sirens Art Retreat starting Saturday.

Okay so I should have had them done but I changed my mind several times but then I was "pawing" thru some of my STUFF in the garage and I had an inspiration and off I went.

SOOOOOOO, I get the collaging pretty well done last night and finish up this morning. Added a little embellishment here and there and take the "art trade" (not saying what it is until Saturday)outside.

I decide to spray them with a glossy clear finish to just make them more prettier...good english huh? I figure this evening I can add the 3 dimensional items.

Soooo to make a short story even longer........I leave them to dry in the SUN and we take off to Costco for a little shopping. Now it's warm here but I did hear on the news there was some thunder and lighting in some areas of San Diego but did I really hear it...........yes, yes you know what's coming.

We leave Costco and my husband comments on the lightning he sees not far from us. I laugh and say we better head home I don't want my "trades" to get wet.

Drum rolllll please.........driving into our neighborhood...wet streets...my heart beats a little faster, I start calling my stupid and why did I leave my little "trades" outside. We get in the driveway I decide to check out the "art" before unloading..hoping..........

agggghhhhhhh did you hear me scream :} wet, streaked, water spots...you get the picture. Time to basically start over. Oh well only 1 day behind again.

Gel Medium cannot seal projects against water, spray finish is not waterproof, it never rains in California :}

If this is your first visit, be sure and read the posts below for free giveaways. I will be posting a picture of my "Art Trades" Saturday morning and will be giving away one so stop back by.

A new way of doing Business....FREE Art N'Stuff

Dolly Sezs
Get Free Art n’ Stuff

THE STORY

The website “The Art in You” (www.theartinyou.com) was created because I wanted to start a business and sell altered items and art N’ stuff! I started spending a lot of money along the way making a website and buying STUFF!

Then I started to say to myself “what the heck am I doing and why?” I really couldn’t answer that question. My focus has changed so much in the last year.

“The Art in You” is a play on words because you can take the “he” in THE and add to “Art” and get HEART. Get it…the heart in you or as I saw it you put your heart in art.

Right now I’m not putting my HEART into my art I seem to think I need create a store, a business leaving no time for creativity. But WHY? What’s the point? We all like money but will it bring me more happiness? No! Do I need it to live? No, thank goodness. Will it frustrate me trying to figure out what to sell, what to buy? YES Can I compete with the big stores, blogs, and online sites? DO I want to compete with others? No….Hey! Maybe I need to re-think what I’m doing.

I love to have my friends over to create, share and they inspire me to create. I have unique items but I want to use them, I don’t want to sell them! When I first spot an item that I think I might want to use in my art, I am “pulled” to its rust, its beauty, its shape…THEY call to me :}

Now I’m not rich by any means but I’m retired and getting by and try to enjoy each day. I have friends that give their time and money to charities and worthwhile causes. I volunteer to help and have done that throughout my lifetime and will continue to do that. Still I want to give but in a different way.

So I’ve come up with a NEW plan that will bring me joy and I think inspire me to create. From now on what I intend to do is:

1. Use my blog http://www.theartinyou.blogspot.com to share Art N’ Stuff!
2. Each month I will have at least one project I will complete or have previously completed and willing to give to someone. Hopefully someone out there will want it tee hee If I meet a creative block or “life gets in the way” I might give away other things I have such as embellishments, books, scrapbook paper, vintage STUFF….hopefully it will be of value to someone.
3. I will post pictures and give it away. People can add a comment to each item they would like to be in the drawing for (one post per item please) and sometime during the month I’ll draw a number (thru a random number generator) and pick a winner and I will mail that month’s art or supplies to the winner. NO you will not even have to pay shipping, I’ll pay it. YES, I will ship internationally too.
4. Create, create, create…..
5. I will send my art off into the world to help me become a happier and hopefully a more creative person and at the same time, make someone happy because we all like FREE stuff…well at least I love FREE stuff :}
6. No strings………there is nothing to buy, nothing to fill out, nothing sign up for. I hate it when something says FREE but means I have to jump thru hoops to get it and usually end up frustrated.


What you can do:

1. When I list the monthly project(s) to be given away. Write a comment. Like “I want it” or “Are you crazy, I live in Iceland?” or “I don’t really want it but it’s free” or whatever “nice” message you would like to leave as a comment. Don’t forget to give me a way to contact you.
2. Some months I intend to give away more than one piece of Art N’ STUFF. Some altered art, vintage items or Scrapbooking items. So on those months, I will have separate postings. Leave a comment only on the ones you want to get a chance to win.
3. If you feel like it, pass the word on about FREE Art N’ STUFF by blogging about it. Grab my logo “Dolly Sezs” with my link and post it on your blog, email it to friends, etc. so others can come and get Art n’ Stuff for FREE.
4. Let me know you posted my image and link on your blog or website and I will put a reciprocal link to your website on my site.
5. Do you have something to give away for FREE (I mean Free, no strings please)? Let me know and I’ll blog about it.

Now I’m not completely CRAZY or willing to Give It all away so from time to time I will post something for sale on this blog or on my Etsy site. If you feel like buying something to support my “postage budget” or like what you see, buy it!! No pressure….. remember, from now on I am working for YOU and my creative spirit.

I already feel lighter and have a greater sense of urgency to Create. Yay! Have a great month. Check back in on June 1 to see what my first giveawayS are.

Have a wonderful, creative week!

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day. I hope you all have a wonderful day and remember those that have and do help to keep our country free.

God Bless America!

Happy Birthday Gloria

Make a Birthday Wish and Blow!!!!

Gloria celebrated her birthday last week and her friends gave her a surprise party Saturday, May 24th at "Cupcake Love". A new little cupcake store that is doing a booming business. The cupcakes are yummmmmmie :}

Maryam and Melanie planned the party. Leave it to Maryam, to bring tables and chairs and have little party favors. Everything was PERFECT and I am pretty sure Gloria was touched to have all her friends and family come to celebrate.

I know I had a fun. You just can't help being happy and inspired when a great group of women get together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLORIA!


Now Gloria got many wonderful gifts......creative and beautiful. Since this is my blog I'll just write about mine. ha ha

Gloria has been asking for awhile now for me to make her a doll like the ones Claudine Hellmuth makes "Sitting Pretties". I made one 2 years ago for Bonnie, another great friend. Since then when I would see Gloria, she would say "don't forget you're going to make me one of those dolls!"

I really felt guilty that I never did make one for her. So her birthday was the PERFECT opportunity to FINALLY give the girl what she wants. ha ha

I had a little inspiration while doing my daily "stroll" thru the world of blogs. I visited Kay Ellen's blog, which I do from time to time to see her great decorating tips and eye candy. By the way, she is featured in Artful Blogging's Summer issue...way too go Kay Ellen!

In her blog I had came across this full size wooden chair she had put tulle and lace around the seat. BOOM! It hit me I want to do this for Gloria's present. Decorate a little chair for her "sitting pretty" to be posed on. I guess that's why we post so many pictures, because you never know where inspiration will come from.

Anyway, here is Gloria "Sitting Pretty" in the background are her three children. A few people at the party want to make one so I guess this will be the August Art Meetup. From one inspiration many more will grow.






Let the good times ROLL!!!

Something new is coming!!!

Check back June 1st to see what I'll be doing on my blog. I'm excited and I think you will be too.