The whole sordid story...

(compiled for Laura Duet's Faux Family Album)
Mildred Elizabeth Trent (born 1869-died 1969)

Mildred Elizabeth Trent (see photo in previous post) was the youngest daughter of Abigail Alice and Henry Adam Trent. She was born on October 31, 1869 (a crisp fall day bright with sunshine and blue skies). She lived a long life, passing on almost 100 years to the day on November 1, 1969. Although she lived a long life, it was not a happy one. She never married and died a spinster. As a young woman, she had dreams of Paris and visiting the newly constructed Eiffel Tower. She also dreamed of being married and having many children. Sadly, neither was meant to be for her. She found it hard to maintain a long-term relationship with any one man, and was quite fond of drinking “the family recipe”. To the shock of her parents, family and neighbors, she was quite a promiscuous young miss and openly flaunted her liaisons and adulterous relationships with an assortment of young and old men alike. To the dismay of the neighbor women, many of these men were their husbands and sons. She outlived most of her friends and family and in the end she died an old and lonely woman. It seems she liked “IMAGINARY MEN” most of all.

My contribution to Laura Duet's Faux Family Album

I'd like you to meet Mildred Elizabeth Trent (she is the one snoozing on the haystack at the bottom of the photo). Keep tuned to this blog. Her sad and sordid story to be told later. She is my "faux relative" to be included in Laura Duet's Faux Family Album Swap. Here is a link to Laura's blog "Maude & Mozart".

BRAVO HEATHER SIMPSON-BLUHM!!!

So...how do you all like my NEW look?? I am so excited and pleased! Heather captured my artistic spirit and created a banner and look that fits me perfectly. Thank you Heather---so glad we have connected!!!

DJ Pettitt's Collage

One more time DJ, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I USED TO BE A "LOSER"...

BUT, my luck has changed!!! I won two---did you hear that, TWO drawings this week!!! First, I won a collage created by the famous and fabulous DJ Pettitt which I can't wait to show you (I will scan and download it later this evening)!! And I also won (just today) a wonderful little art card created by Lia the Art Junk Girl. It is titled "Life Is Beautiful" and you know what...life is beautiful!!! I will upload this one too as soon as it arrives.

Thank you to both of these creative, generous artists for holding these drawing and sharing their amazing artwork with me.

PREVIEW of my new banner

I am so excited...my friend the very creative and talented and generous Heather Simpson-Bluhm has created a new banner for my blog!! I can't wait to see the full change, but here is a preview...

I have found and joined a charm swap...BUT, I am still vacillating on holding my own too!!

I'm a crazy woman huh??? I was directed to a current charm swap being held by Amber Dawn, please check out her blog and her Yahoo Group Charms2007swap by my "new best friend", the marvelous Heather Simpson-Blum. The swap is for either 21 for 20 or 42 for 40 (I've elected the 21 for 20 choice). I am happy to say that Amber has set up very well defined guidelines, which will insure this to be a very artistic and quality swap. I am excited about participating and if anyone wants more information, just let me know and I will show you the way!!

As far as the vacillating about holding my own swap---I have had several people show interest (even though I said it wasn't going to happen!). Actually, I have received quite a lot of encouragement and ideas and I am once again seriously thinking about doing this after the first of the year---this would be in addition to the one I am participating in now. So...look for future updates!! JUST LOVE these little charms---kind of like the 1x1 mini collages!!!

I'VE COME TO MY SENSES---so, before I go to bed....

Yes...I have come to my senses. I have been informed by some of my friends that there are already several other charm swaps going on out there. I will look into them and find one to join instead of hosting. Would you believe that I am sometimes really obsessive and really impulsive???? You know that "I have to have it" syndrome!!! If you were reading about my "thinking about hosting a swap post" and were thinking of joining the insanity, I will report what I find out about current swaps and post all the info tomorrow. It is now 2AM here in the midwest and I am going to bed!!!

OK, I've never done this before---ANYONE interested???

I recently become aware of a FABULOUS swap that was just completed by a group of 25 very talented artists and hosted by Ruth Rae. You can view many of the individual charms including step by step instructions from many of the artists on Ruth Rae's blog, Simply Charming. I am so jealous that I was not a part of this swap that I am thinking of (I can't believe that I am saying this) hosting my own charm swap!!! Here is a pix of the finished bracelet---



Please let me know if there is any interest out there. We would need at least 25 participants to make it a go (we need to have a REALLY chunky bracelet!!) and I might need some organizational help since I am swap host inpaired (never done it before). What do you think???? Please let me know and PLEASE feel free to jump in even if you have already participated in the Simply Charming swap!! And just to let you know, I would not be opposed to somebody else jumping in and hosting/co-hosting!!!

Oh James...

James Taylor is one of my all time favorite recording artists and he is playing in Chicago tonight to a sold out house. I was hoping that my husband would buy some last minute tix on ebay (for Sweetest Day)---but alas it is not to be. Maybe next time around. There are links in my previous post to two of my favorite tunes. I just figured out today how to link music to my blog. Click on them and enjoy!!

Wish I was going tonight....James Taylor SOLD OUT!

Drum Roll Please...the final 30 1X1's!!

I'm on a roll...

Got together with two of my good art friends today. We get together on the first and third Saturday of each month to create and enjoy each other. Sometimes there are more of us and sometimes it is just the three of us---we like each others company and we inspire each other. My project for today was to continue making my little 1X1 masterpieces. Here are the next 30!!!

25 new mini masterpieces....

I have completed the next 25 (total 40) for the 100 square swap. I am just loving making these! When I posted to the list that I belong to Altered Art Obsession, I used the analogy that it was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle!! I have all these little pieces of ephemera, images and words in front of me and I keep moving them around until I find the perfect fit! It amazes me that I like working this small. Will be doing some more over the weekend.