Thanks For Visiting...

Due to a change in marital status, I'm now going by the name Michelle Renée Bernard. You can follow me on my blog at michellereneebernard.blogspot.com Thanks for visiting!

Full Moon Tonight...

Full moon tonight. I love a full moon. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the "half," the "quarter," or the "crescent". . . but there's just something about a full moon... Howwwwwwwwl!

Feelin' Groovy...

Not only do I like to use decades-old stuff in my art, but I also love to wear it too! Currently, this is one of my favorite combinations... a 70's polyester print shirt, complete with a groovy scarf... a steal for $12 at a local flea market. And a peach short sleeve shirt I got at J.C. Penney for only $1.98!

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Dead Roses

One of my favorite techniques is the Polaroid transfer. You take a slide photograph and expose it onto the old polaroid peel away film (the gunky kind)... pull off the paper tab when it's done... and place it onto watercolor paper. The result is absolutely unpredictable. The roses above were left in a vase while on vacation and upon returning, they looked good enough to photograph. The transfer technique really lent itself to the overall feeling of the photo.

Listen To The Universe...

Did you ever wonder what the Universe is trying to tell you? Do you think twice about those serendipitous coincidences? Or perhaps those life lessons are more like a slap in the face (the Universe definitely has a sense of humor!). Well, wonder no more...

I totally recommend that you sign up for "Notes from the Universe" where you will receive a special message—Mondays through Fridays—via e-mail. And I'm not kidding when I say... the Universe is watching you! And that's a good thing...

Your Love Is Like Bad Medicine...

Mom was going into town, so I said, "I need cupcakes." Not, "could you get me some"... no... I need them. Ahhhhh... and what good medicine!

Patterns

Today was a day of looking at patterns. No matter how much you think you see as you're standing right on top of them... all you have to do is take a couple steps back and your perspective totally changes. Take a giant leap back... and then you have quite another view! The image above is actually a vintage countertop from an Asbury Park boardwalk concession stand.

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: 7 O'Clock Shadow

This eerie looking infra-red photograph was taken in a Charlotte, NC graveyard in the early evening when the sun was low. It wasn't planned... I was just walking around with my camera when I noticed the long shadows that were cast. I asked my "model" to pose by this larger gravestone to capture the stark contrast.

I Once Was Lost... But Now I'm Bound...

My heart is bound and cannot see. It's taking time to heal my heart and mind. Lots of time.

Too Much Rain...

April showers are coming a little bit early this year. The weather has been very strange here on the NJ coast this weekend. It's been raining extremely heavily overnight... and then not really at all during the day... even though it looked like rain all day. Sunday it was foggy most of the day, and then we had a thunderstorm around 8:30 in the evening. Weird...

Clear The Mind...

Took a walk on the beach the other day to clear my mind. But I always find good stuff when I go there... so I make sure to bring a ziplock bag now. I discovered lots of glass from an historic building being torn down, tons of my favorite shells, some sea glass, and even a skull of some sort. All-in-all a very good haul... and I did manage to clear my head too.

Laundry Is Exciting?

That's right. I've never been so excited to get my laundry done! My bags are full and it's been way too long. You see... my washer is busted and I've been using my mom's next door. But with all that's been going on these past couple weeks, I have not gotten to the laundry. So I am so glad to have jeans and my favorite shirts to wear again. Yay! Next Monday I get my new washer and dryer set... then I will be even more excited to do laundry. Can you imagine?

Cotton Candy For Coraline...

Oooooh... I almost forgot! I meant to make my "Little Me" some yummy cotton candy. It's her favorite. I made an aluminum foil base, glued an unwrapped cotton ball around it, and sprayed with a paint/water mixture. Nice and fluffy! The cone is out of cardstock and I painted red stripes on it.

Time For Nesting...

A group of crafty chicks—we call ourselves the "Tiara Chronicles"—get together every couple months and make something creative. This weekend, Debbie Tlach taught us how to do this nifty nest pin (adapted from instructions by Deryn Mentock's Belle Armoire Jewelry article). We had lots of laughs, took way too long, and everyone's piece turned out great!

We used annealed wire and made the eggs out of translucent polymer clay, with Distress Embossing powder mixed in to create the speckled color. It was easier than we all thought it would be. Gotta love when that happens!

A Little Spotty...

I usually try not to air my dirty laundry on my blog. But sometimes, things in life happen and they affect your heart, your spirit and unfortunately... your creativity. Lately, my blog entries have become rather “spotty” and not my usual weekly tradition. This is due in part to a very unsettling circumstance brought to my attention a few weeks ago.

This particular development has been so difficult for me on so many levels. I’m trying to be strong. But it’s going to take some time. I feel like I just got hit by a freight train, and those wounds run deep. But, no matter how long it takes... I will get stronger... I will get past this... and I’ll get to live the life I’ve always imagined...

Green For St. Patty's Day...

Happy St. Patty's Day everybody! I myself am: German, French, Polish, English and American Indian. But everybody's Irish on St. Pat's, right? To celebrate, I'm going out with my Italian friend and her Scottish husband and I'm going to have myself some domestic champagne! What are you up to?

I've Been Trying To Get To My Taxes...

But sometimes... things just get in the way! Can't wait to be done with them. Except then it's on to the next thing I've been avoiding on my "hard stuff to do" list! Yuck. Nice distraction though!

Just Chillin...

Taking it easy this evening. It's been kind of a long week, even though it's only Wednesday. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Magic Midway

So, obviously you get the boardwalk thing from the entry below, but that love extends to carnivals and fairs as well! This photo I took and colorized the old-fashioned way... by painting the non-colored areas with a photo masking fluid, letting it dry, and then dipping it into a bath of orange dye! When the desired intensity of color was had, you let it dry and peeled off the mask! You gotta love Photoshop!

A Juggling Act...

Over the weekend, I stopped into one of my favorite little antique shops and found this gem. Living in a beach town and having grown up at the boardwalk, I really love these game-themed pieces. I think I'm going to hang it on the wall.

Little Me... Fini!

Here I am... in all my Little Me glory. Want to come and play with me?

Can Little Me Come Out To Play? Patience, Dear... Just One More Day...

So, I wasn't happy with the tea dye color of my Little Me, so I re-tea dyed the whole doll. But all I had was Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger... and it made her pink! Too funny, but not my intention. Serendipity, perhaps? I painted on some lips and freckles...
Fashioned a skirt and hand-dyed peek-a-boo crinoline...
Added the arms and made a cute pink sweater from one of my own sweaters...
Added a darling vintage pin as a barette... and tomorrow I shall reveal my Little Me finally completed! This doll was so much fun to make. Having sewn it by hand, I really felt like a little girl in the Colonial days... making her own little dolly. Until tomorrow...

I've Been Snowed!

Yup, that's right! The biggest snow job in quite some time! Monday's storm brought our New Jersey coast about 10" of powdery white stuff. That sure was a lot of shoveling!

Little Me...Coming Around...

My "Little Me" doll is starting to come into focus! I traced out the hair placement with pencil so I could add the eyebrows and eyes in the appropriate place. Before I sewed up the doll after stuffing, I inserted a long triangle made of cardstock for the nose. Cute, but it keeps slipping sideways though. So I may need to sew it into place later on...
More fun! Adding the hair. And... uh... it's pink... did anyone guess that's what color yarn I would be using? She's really developing a little personality...
And of course, matching pink striped stockings! Hello dolly...
Until next time...

Little Me...Coraline Style...

Okay, so being inspired is quite addictive! It's been a real Coraline "Little Me" weekend. I realized from my original pattern (already cut out), that I forgot to add her ears! So I was able to sew them in while sewing the entire doll by hand...
To age the doll, of course some tea dying was in order. I do like to get messy when I create. I used the tea bag "direct-to-surface" for optimum color, but rinsed a little of it out. I think I might want more color, but I'll wait and see...Stuffing is fun and therapeutic! And, as you can see, the "creative juices" are flowing...
Until next time....

Nice To Meet Me...

Inspired by the movie Coraline, I have decided to make my own "me" doll. In the movie, Wybie brings Coraline a doll he found in his Grandma's attic... and it looks just like her! So I'm making one that will look like me. Since I don't have a sewing machine, or much experience sewing... it may take a while. But I want it to look hand made, so it's all good. So happy to feel inspired again. It's been too long! I'll take you along the journey as my doll makes progress...

Coraline...

Went to see Coraline last night. If you are an adult with a kid's heart... go see it. If you love to play in the mud... go see it. If you want your movies in 3D... go see it!

©photo courtesy of LAIKA/Focus Features

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Solar Boy

One of my favorite photos, this was a serendipity kind of thing... the subject in the photo was trying on my sunglasses, and a table lamp reflected in both lenses. I said, "don't move!" and got my camera out and snapped this shot. To make it even more interesting, I solarized it during the developing process which gave the final photo really dark shadows and silvery highlights.

Opening Night Party... Art & Soul, VA...

House of Rock and Roll. Okay, here it is... the finished project I'll be teaching at the Opening Night Party for Art & Soul, Hampton, Virginia. We'll be using Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Sticky-back Canvas, Paints and Gesso, Memory Frames, Glass and Capsules, Alcohol Inks, die cuts, clip art, Tim Holtz stamps and masks, Cuttlebug dies, rock and roll memorabilia and so much more to decorate this Maya Road house and tag set. Included in the party is dinner, and there's also a cash bar... woohoo!

©photo by Debbie Tlach

Asbury Park...

There are so many happening things going on in Asbury Park, NJ these days! Cool concerts, car shows, gallery crawls, and new restaurants opening all the time. In this economy... this is a great thing! Went out to eat Saturday night to one of the newest restaurants... Langosta Lounge. With a really great decor and "vacation inspired" cuisine... it was really a treat!

Life in 3-D...

Lately my life seems a little flat... a little 2-dimensional. I've been working my regular job and working after work. That's a lot of work! I am looking forward to taking the day off tomorrow and having some FUN... and getting back to a 3D existence...

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Cliff Hanger

The Cliff Hanger ride in Keansburg, NJ is really pretty cool. You lay down on your belly and it's like you are hang gliding! Here's another Cliff Hanger: this week I'm working on a project that I will be teaching—along with my associate Bonnie—at this year's Opening Night Party for the Hampton, VA Art & Soul! I'll have to keep you in suspense until we're done. Until then...

Dentist Appointment...

Had a dentist appointment today. Just a cleaning. But I seem to find it very relaxing. Perhaps because I just get to lay back with my feet up and have someone take care of me for a change.

Laundry Day...Yawn...

I waited as long as I could... but it's time to do laundry today. My washer is broken, so it takes extra long. But I am lucky that my mom lives next door and that I can carry my clothes back and forth... rather than dragging them to the laundromat. Did a little straightening up today too. Feels like nesting. I think the 50-65 degree weather last week made it feel like spring was coming!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone...

I hope you are surrounded by lots of caring family, friends and pets on this day and every day. This Valentine's Day is a little different for me this year... but I'm happy to be celebrating the love!

If Lovin' You Is Wrong... Then I Don't Wanna Be Right!

If a cupcake wanted to be a cookie... then this is it. One of my sweetest new obsessions are these frosted sugar cookies from Lofthouse. The cookie is soooo soft and the icing is fresh. Sometimes they give me a sugar belly ache. That's why... only one per day! Mmmmmmmm...

Retail Therapy...And Then Some!

Tonight I went to JC Penney to look for a button down long sleeve shirt... I found a patterned short sleeve shirt and a two-tone scarf instead. Then I went to Forever 21 to find a long sleeve shirt... I found a pink polka dot short sleeve shirt and a green tye dye scarf! Then I went to Macy's to find a long sleeve shirt... instead I got a sexy lace top (short sleeve!), a velvet jacket, a ruffled skirt and a pink skull and crossbones tee (but hey, it was long sleeve!).

Then I went to the card store for Valentine's cards which took ever so long to pick out. Then off to the liquor store to get my favorite champagne splits, but they don't carry them anymore. So I went to a different liquor store. Stopped at the dollar store for wrapping paper... and finally the gas station to put air in my tire and fill up on gas! Whew! Lots of stuff, but I feel like I really accomplished something and I love all my new clothes!

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Teacup Ride

I used to love the teacup ride! Spinning around in a circle and making the teacup spin around too... dizzy, dizzy. It was fun! Lately I've been making my own decaffeinated tea. I was trying to stay away from too much sugar and using Diet Iced Tea Mix... but one doctor says no caffeine, the other says no artificial sweeteners! So I compromised. I'm using the caffeine free, very flavorful Celestial Seasonings teas and Agave Nectar for sweetening. It's not too bad.

Artful Ideas Using Yesterday's Trash...

Last year, I developed a fascination with repurposing the plastic blisters from packages to use in my art. Funny because the company I work for... Ranger... came out with these Memory Capsules at the most recent Craft & Hobby Association show. They are little tiny, 3-D, decoratively shaped capsules that you can fill with all kinds of objects, place ephemera behind them, back with Ranger's Memory Glass and then place into our Memory Frames. It's an instant piece of jewelry or a creative embellishment. Pretty cool.

Full Moon Fever!

I was sitting on my couch at dusk and something told me to look out the window... and what a really cool full moon I saw!

Altered Violin...

Having recently returned from a very long business trip, I haven't had much time to be creative. Too much grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning, and the like! But I thought I'd revisit this altered violin I made for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's charity... Art Strings. It really has a balanced combination of all the things I love... collaged music sheet pages, beadwork, silk flowers, vintage photos, butterfly wings and random words on a tiny tag. Originally, the violin was going to be pink, but I do a LOT of pink. And then I thought, violet... violin... hey, I'll make it purple. And since the piece had a woman's photo, I named her Violit.

Retro Inspired...

Happy early Valentine's Day to me! I bought myself these lovely red-inspired kitchen accessories tonight. I will be using them for crafting most likely. Love Retro!

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Icing On The Cupcake

I have to admit... I just love snow. And today we had a little bit of snow that was extra nice. It was light and fluffy and soft. Driving home at night as the temperatures got only slightly cooler was awesome, as the flakes looked like little pieces of mica shining in the headlights. Upon arriving home, the sugary coating over our garden made me think of... what else? The icing on a cupcake! Of course!