Interesting how I don't post much in summer because I just don't want to lose any of that precious time outside. But, the moment it starts to feel and smell like fall, I return to my regularly scheduled blogging.

So this post will be more of a social experiment than the usual sharing photos, events and updates in the lives surrounding the Green Family Craft Zoo. Mainly because this week has had drop dead gorgeous fall weather which we all know will soon come to a screeching halt, slowdown and then....end in the world again turning colorless in shades of white, black and grey.

And so I ponder, as I look outside and marvel at the brilliance of autumn...the psychedelic trees and all the orange, red, brown and yellow leaves scattered over all the beautiful green grass. Fall is one of my most productive seasons to create art because I am surrounded by color on my walks and I am inspired by the color palette when I return.  Which is why I am always sad to see the color slowly fade and disappear.

 Do we really say goodbye to summer and fall with the turning of a calendar page or the changing of the clocks? Or can we hold on to it in our hearts and experiences? In my case, I hold onto summer in my still healing broken toe...but also in the videos and photos that capture the sights, smells and sounds of nature (OH SO MUCH GREEN all around me!) and outdoor festivals, events and fun times.

New issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine

Some people make New Year's Resolutions.  The rest of us are too busy with trade show season!  So, instead, my ideas are implemented after the shows are over...or at least, after all the planning is over....and I finally have a break to just think.

Here then is my announcement: As a new feature on my blog, I will be posting whenever new issues (and published articles) are available in Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine (or any other publication).  I will also be featuring new stamp images, along with projects.

One thing I have heard and read repeatedly is that a blog not only needs to include content that is of interest to the reader, it also needs to engage.  I am not normally in the habit of running about shouting "look at me! look at me! look at me!" whenever I have new stamps released with Impression Obsession ...or new textiles available...or even new articles published in magazines.  It isn't because I don't want to share the information,. It is because when these items become actual items and I get my samples, I'm ALWAYS in the middle of another creative frenzy and caught in dozens of deadlines. Blogging requires a whole different type of concentration and time I don't have when I'm in high creative mode or have a deadline looming in front of me. Unfortunately, there is just one of me since I haven't yet been cloned. Which is why you will often seen huge gaps in the dates of my posts.

However, I am resolving today to be much more diligent in sharing all these wonderful releases and publications and just....fun creative stuff in general with all of you! This, of course, is easy for me to say now when I am in the middle of a much needed brief break and have time to think and breath before my next deadline next week.  We will see how long this lasts....

So, without further adieu....here is the new issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine with an 8 page technique article by yours truly!

Just the first page of my 8 page article on Wet Media Spritzing!

And some of the projects within the article...different styles...different mediums...

Super Nova Craft Explosion!

Most people dread deadlines. Ok some types of deadlines fill me with dread and the instant desire to find ways (ANY ways) to procrastinate.  Like doing taxes or making a doctor appointment.  But....deadlines that involve creating art or writing articles filled with lots of creative projects fill me with an instant desire to move full throttle into high creative mode!

Which is exactly what I did this past weekend.  Two magazine articles and multiple projects for a third magazine later...this is what just a corner of my craft room looked like....

And another corner.....the spillover still in process to be completed this week....

IT IS a SUPER NOVA CRAFT EXPLOSION!  Wowza....


Keep your eyes out for Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine.....and Just Minis, a brand new magazine!

But meanwhile, check out the latest issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine www.scottpublications.com/ssa/  and Just Mixed Media! scottpublications.com/jcmag/ for some of my latest published creations.....

And, of course in addition to the images above, check out more of my latest stamps at Impression Obsession.... iostamps.com ...Just search under Rubber Stamps > By Artist> Gail Green and you will see all my cool images!

Welcome to Autumn with a Bittersweet Farewell to Summer...

As summer quietly comes to a sweet end, the days grow shorter, the evenings cooler and the garden starts to fade....

Sounds like the lead into a welcome to fall speech, doesn't it?  Truth is....I'm NOT ready to welcome fall! Chicagoland had such a brutal endless winter, last year, followed by an equally long, extended spring (all the way into July with rainy, cool and gloomy weather). As far as I'm concerned, summer is only halfway done! No fair! I'm not ready for leaves to turn colors and fall.  Nope.  I want those suckers to just stay put and stay green.

But, when I peek at my sad garden, I can see the party is almost over.  No matter where my heart is (and, trust me, it is still heavy and deep into summer), nature has another plan.  The dogs are blowing their coats in preparation for their heavy winter coats to grow in.  The giant Hibiscus are finally bloomed out and their leaves are already starting to change.  And, dislike as I may, the sun now sets by 7 pm....way, way too early for summer but nowhere as early as it will be setting another month from now.

Sigh.....

So, I need to tough it up, pull on my big girl winter pants and brace myself for the change. Reluctantly I admit I only used the outside grill once because we just aren't really into that type of food.  When it gets warm, we get lazy and eat cold salad type fare.  We are more the peasant pot of soup type of family. ..which is not a summer choice.  Fall means dusting off the big soup pot, harvesting all the parsley that has recently totally taken over the garden and getting ready for the next big adventure.  And that adventure will most certainly include LOTS of thick, hearty soups!

So....love you Summer. with all my heart...miss you madly until next year.  I will rejoice with each and every remaining warm day.  But, I do need to look forward to the next chapter.  So, without further adieu, I have taken a deep breath of this cool, refreshing air and now welcome an old friend back in all her colorful splendor....

Happy Autumn!  Stick around as long as you like and don't let your frigid sister arrive on the scene too soon this year....

And...please take little trip over to my ETSY shop.  I'm in the process of loading fall and winter seasonal items for your viewing and gift buying pleasure.  Many of these items are one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces that were made by my little ole hands from my little ole original patterns and designs.  Once they are gone...they will be gone.  The name of my ETSY shop is Sweet Petatoes.  Here is the link: http://sweetpetatoes.etsy.com

Both photos here show just a couple of the one-of-a-kind items currently listed in my ETSY shop. Oh there are just SO many other item, including scrapbook kits, photos albums, dog and cat notecards from my original realistic line art...and more to come as the weeks progress.

Till next time....

It is SUMMERTIME in Craft Chicagoland! Just in time for Mother's Day.....

Hi all!

Warm weather has finally arrived this week here in Chi-town....which means it is summer outside.  Yay! We kind of bypass spring here and usually go right from winter (which has been waaaaaaay too long again this past season) into the toasty warm summer temps.  With rain mixed in, of course. And everything blooming on hyperdrive and all at once.

Both of these events address the reasons I haven't posted in the past week or two.  Yes, I've opted to spend the time outside instead of inside on my computer blogging. (Can you blame me after the winter WE just escaped from?!).  It's been so amazing not wearing winter gear (heavy coats, hats, gloves, the works) and breathing in air that doesn't burn my lungs.  So yes, I have to say opportunities to walk outside have definitely trumped computer time indoors.

If you don't suffer from seasonal or other environmental allergies, this next reason probably won't really resonate with you.  Basically, it's been tough to see clearly through itchy, watering (and very irritated) eyes.  Whatever I'm mainly allergic to every spring was apparently mega-dosing the past couple weeks. Even with windows closed as much as possible, both humans and dogs brought pollen and other allergens right into the house each time anyone stepped outdoors for even a few minutes. Staring at a computer monitor had to be limited to "deadlined" projects and  necessary tasks.

The misery lasts until it rains and washes much of the mess out of the air and keeps it trapped on the soggy ground.  Which happened yesterday evening so....here I am!  Perhaps relief only for a day, but I'm enjoying the respite, nonetheless.

HOWEVER....allergies and outdoor fun has not stopped me from creating new art or crafting new projects! Or creating a sale in my Etsy shop!  25% off ALL original art dog, cat and wildlife note cards!  Visit www.sweetpetatoes.etsy.com to visit my shop.  Lots of items listed...from scrapbook kits to handcrafted one-of-a-kind silk ties.

If you have not done so yet, please drop by www.mixedmediaart.net and take a peek at my debut article on the blog.  It is under the Product Review Section but you can just search on top under my name Gail Green and the article will pop up.  Or try this direct link......http://www.mixedmediaart.net/?s=gail+green

And, in the spirit of the season, here's one of the projects in the blog article....

I also have another project posted on the Linnie Blooms Design Team Blog....it's pretty cool so take a jog over to that site, as well... www.linnieblooms.blogspot.com

For more info on Linnie Blooms products, visit their website.


Another article will be posting sometime next week...

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

Linnie Blooms BLOG hop on WEDNESDAY!

Attn all mixed media artists, crafters, stampers, painters....and creatives!

Watch for WEDNESDAY!

Linnie Blooms Blog Hop begins....

Prizes!  Prizes!  Prizes!

All you have to do is comment on my blog to be entered....so check back on WEDNESDAY!

More Ollie the Monkeyman Stories!

It's time for another Ollie story!

Ollie is a male red-side Eclectus parrot who LOVES crafts, watching me create art, feeding the dogs (and playing with their toys...aka stealing their toys), whatever we are eating...and music!

He also talks.  I mean talking as in actual communication using appropriate sounds and/or human words/phrases.  Most people who do not know birds well assume that talking birds just mimic words and have no idea what they mean.  Intelligent parrots like African Greys and Eclectus, however, are capable of actual appropriate use of words--which are sounds--and other sounds to communicate their thoughts, needs, and feelings.

For example, Ollie learned a long time ago to imitate the sound of a dog squeaky ball and use that sound to convey happiness. He will always make that squeaky ball sound whenever we turn on the shower and ask him to step up so he can be transferred onto his perch inside the shower stall and enjoy a bath.  He spreads his wings wide and allows the water to thoroughly soak his feathers during his bath.  When I tell him to step back onto the perch (so he won't get soap or shampoo on his feathers), he will immediately step back and up onto his perch.

HOWEVER....if he just HAD a bath the previous day and doesn't really need another one, he will not make that sound.  He'll go into the shower with us to keep us company and enjoy the higher humidity, but won't spread his wings or attempt to get wet.  And no squeaky toy squeal of delight!

After his bath, I place one of his small towels around him, dry him off for just a moment and then replace him and his perch into the bathtub where he then listens to country music and preens himself in the sun streaming in the window. He sings to the music, then takes a nap.

 Hopefully it will finally warm up so the windows can be open and he can once again enjoy full spectrum light!

Introducing....Ollie the Monkeyman!

For those of you who may not already be familiar with my "Ollie" stories, let me explain.  Ollie is a 5-1/2 year old Eclectus parrot who LOVES, LOVES, LOVES crafting and all things artsy, colorful and creative.  Not sure if it is the positive energy I give off when creating and creating art--or the sheer fascination he has watching things happening--but Ollie is at his happiest when he can watch creative things going on.

Lately, he has taken on new responsibilities. One of his new jobs is to tease Lacy Lulu, our 7 month old Border Collie puppy.  Like all "siblings", each wants to have what the other has.  In Ollie and Lacy's case, that means food and toys. Each, of course, will immediately grab the other's toy(s).  Ollie has also discovered how much fun it is to reinforce training the puppy by saying "Good boy!" when Lacy obeys a command and will often drop tasty bits of food off the side of his feeding station (aka the kitchen island) on purpose just to each her eat them up. Sometimes his enthusiasm goes a little into hyperdrive, however, and he will (literally) empty his entire bowl over the edge, one piece at a time. Maybe that is just his own way of expressing himself creatively!

Creative Crafty Friends Make Winter Warm!

I've been a VERY busy creative the last few weeks! First came CHA SHOW in January with all the prep, teaching and follow up from a zillion meetings. (Plus a nice break in warm southern Cali as a bonus!) Working on projects for magazine articles, new art collections for licensing and bring part of the Linnie Blooms Design team linnieblooms.blogspot.com has been more recently filling up my long and socially isolated winter days.

BUT..what has really filled me with energy has been chatting daily with so many of my creative peeps!

For people living in warm climates or who managed to escape to warm climates for winter, the past few months have been normal.  For the rest of us, however, they have been exhausting. Winter is so isolating. And it runs way too long.

Okay, the first snowfall or two may look all sparkly and magical...and add delightful ambience to seasonal holiday decorations and themes...but by the umpteenth storm warning, travel nightmare/flight cancellation or emergency rations run, snow totally loses its appeal.  At least for me it does. 

I haven't  gone for a walk outside for weeks.  No wait, make that months since the only place to walk would be in the street. For someone who normally walks daily, it's been an eternity. The dogs all feel the same way. The Arctic air mass has made it even harder to deal with. While I love to show off a cute new warm, snuggly sweater and finally get to wear my boots without stinky sweaty feet, subzero temps and Arctic air is just plain painful to breathe in anymore! Even if the sidewalks were clear, I just can't take the frozen air.

I'm SO ready for spring. Not ready for the allergies that accompany trees waking up and going a little wild in the pollen making department perhaps, but definitely ready for the dirty, crusty, condensed snow to melt and clean, non-slippery sidewalks to magically reappear!

From the dozens of conversations sparking back and forth on social media, it seems all my cold climate creative peeps feel pretty much the same. We are all ready to breathe in fresh air that doesn't burn our lungs and enjoy the outdoors once again with other people.  Yes! I cannot WAIT to emerge from this long isolation. Can't wait until the swans return.

But the one thing that has truly helped me make it through such a long and frigid season has been you, my creative friends.  Your funny jokes and comments on FB....those hour-long one-on-one chats on Messenger...surprise texts and emails...and lively group discussions...  This is what has made a very depressing few weeks inspiring ones instead! You all keep me creatively inspired and always ready to craft or draw or experiment with new products and techniques. And for that, I thank each one of you. I sincerely hope I brightened up at least one hour for every one of you! 

Looking forward now to a great year with you all...my creative friends... 

LET THE CREATIVE BEGIN!