Illustration Friday ~ Canned

When Velma heard she was getting a pink slip she was delighted! She didn't realize she was being CANNED.

Knowing Velma, she'll argue age discrimination.

© Nancy Lefko

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Beach

There couldn't have been a more perfect topic at Inspire Me Thursday for me, as we'll soon be preparing for our beach vacation in Coastal Maine.

I can assure you I will be spending hour after hour wading in the tide pools with my youngest in search of hermit crabs, green crabs, clams and baby lobsters. These creatures are given comfortable homes during each day at the beach and even get to snack on dad's fishing bait. At the end of the day they are lovingly released back into their homes by my son, the steward of nature.

© Nancy Lefko

Happy News

Perseverance pays off!

I am happy to say that my collage piece entitled "tea for 2" was selected in the Tea Party challenge at Cloth, Paper, Scissors.

I am not sure how it will be used (published, displayed or both) but I am thrilled to have been chosen.

And yes, "Nancy Leeko" is me...I knew I should have kept my maiden name...it was never so frequently misspelled :)

A New Friend

I met someone today through an Etsy forum filled with wonderful and talented mixed media/collage artists. I have enjoyed chatting back and forth and it becomes quite addictive...so much great information and support to be shared.

Alisa was kind enough to immediately add one of my collages to her new Etsy Treasury and I am so grateful for that! I do so appreciate the kindness there is to be found in the online art community.

Please make sure to visit Alisa's blog and her wonderful Etsy shop...you won't be disappointed.

Change of Pace

As a little surprise for my cousin's upcoming wedding, I have put together a memory book AKA paper bag album. Her bridesmaids will be wearing black and silver and carrying neon flowers...sounds very chic. I have created this album with that color scheme in mind.

The ribbons to the right are attached to squares of cardstock which can be used for journaling. They slip into the bag openings.


In addition to the pages for the toast, cake and first dance, there are also pages for photos of the bride, groom, wedding party and families.




To personalize the album I incorporated parts of the wedding invitation.



Do you think she'll like it?


© Nancy Lefko

Treasures Arrive at my Doorstep

The multi-talented Fannie Narte is also among the most generous and kind art bloggers I have met since my arrival in this blog world.

Fannie celebrated her one year blog anniversary with an incredible ten day giveaway. She gifted lucky bloggers with the most astounding gifts of art and I was indeed one of the lucky participants. The spectacular art quilt, "Words Can Make the Heart Sing" was my prize and I couldn't be more thrilled. The scan cannot possibly do justice to this amazing piece of art. The stitching is incredibly intricate and the colors sublime. You must visit Fannie's Etsy shop to see her art quilts for sale, in addition to the other fine work she offers.

In addition, every participant, win or lose, had their choice of an ATC hand embellished print and I chose the glorious, "Take That Leap." It will serve as a wonderful inspiration in my studio.

Having run out of superlatives to describe Fannie's work, I leave it to you to visit her website and blog and see for yourself the magic that lives there.

My sincere thanks, Fannie, to an artist with a heart as big as the sky.

Featured art © Fannie Narte

Monday Artday ~ Opposites

This is my first submission to Monday Artday.

Please visit this wonderful blog for a peek at some outstanding art.

© Nancy Lefko

Featured in a Treasury

My sincere thanks to the talented artist Debra Linker for including my artwork in her "Living with an Artist Can Be..." Treasury on Etsy. I am always deeply flattered when someone of great talent takes interest in my art.

Thanks, Debra.

Illustration Friday ~ Enough

For Celia, Norman's love was always ENOUGH.

© Nancy Lefko

Inspire Me Thursday ~ Polka Dots

This is my first submission to Inspire Me Thursday and what better way to start than with Polka Dots! Gotta love 'em ! I know I have great fun adding them as texture to my backgrounds. And I do believe they even conjure up a bit of childlike innocence.

© Nancy Lefko

Check This Out !!

There are some wonderful and generous people in this blog land and I have just found another by way of Karen Mowrey's blog (thanks, Karen!) This is a giveaway for the most delicious quilt imaginable and it is presented by the Old Red Barn Company.

For a chance to win, enter by leaving a comment at the Old Red Barn Company anytime before midnight, Tuesday, July 22, 2008.

Please see my side bar for a picture and direct link, by posting it there I receive 5 extra entries!

While you are at the Old Red Barn Company blog, make sure you read on and enjoy a number of wonderful posts and photos.

Illustration Friday ~ Foggy

Sissy often felt FOGGY after one too many.

© Nancy Lefko



**available as a coaster in my CafePress shop**

Back to Etsy

I tested the water over at Ebay...and it was cold...this time. So my new ATC's are back in my Etsy shop and hopefully will receive a warmer welcome.

I want to clean out the studio a bit, so I may list some collages on SALE over at Ebay. I don't want to close that door completely, but I certainly seem to be having a better reception in the Etsy world right now.

© Nancy Lefko

A Sweet Award

The kind and talented Karen Mowrey of Beelieve, has bestowed upon me a lovely kindness...this sweet award. Karen and I have recently "met" in this wonderful blog land and she, her art and her blog are a treat! Stop by Beelieve and you will see what I mean.

The rules of accepting are as follows:

1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

It is always difficult for me to choose a finite number of bloggers to award because I always feel badly for leaving out other amazing people. But I am a rule-follower, so here goes.

This award goes to the fabulous...

Diana Evans
Fannie Narte
Elizabeth Parsons
Kathy Hare
Lisa Rivas
Lisa M. Griffin
Anastasia Christou

Visit these blogs and you will be hooked!

NOTE: I have since received this award from Ginger and Connie also. Please visit their wonderful blogs as well. Thank you ladies.

Etsy Update

A visit to the little "shop" at the town recycling center always yields some wonderful old hardcover books. They are not only a resource for vintage letters and words for use in my collages, but the covers offer a perfect base on which to create.

The collages featured here are among those that are listed in my Etsy shop tonight and have all been created on vintage book covers. I had an especially good time working with paints and stamps and textures on the backgrounds of these, and I hope that you are as pleased as I am with the outcome.

As you close down your holiday weekend, stroll on over and take a peek.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You, Fannie

I am often reminded of the supportive world through which we bloggers frolic. My heart is warmed by the many artists who offer up genuine support and encouragement. I do not think I could traverse the art world waters without the lift those artists give to me. It surely wouldn't be a journey quite as bright and joyful.

One such artist is the delightful Fannie Narte, who offered up this kind post on her blog about me and my collage art. Fannie is very talented and creates beautiful works of art in paper and fabric. Please visit her blog and Etsy shop to share in her magic.

It has been my distinct pleasure getting to know Fannie, and many others I will never "meet" but with whom I have a very real connection.

Illustration Friday ~ Sour

Lulu may have been crowned the Lemon Drop Princess, however she was anything but SOUR.

© Nancy Lefko

Ebay Update

After a lengthy absence from listing my artwork on Ebay, I have decided to test the waters again. Realizing there may be some people who would be more likely to shop there, I am willing to give it another try. Plus, my Etsy sales have been flat, so why not? I prefer to sell through Etsy, but there is no harm in saturating the market, as it were.

The featured ATC's are among those I have listed on Ebay. Stop by and take a peek.

© Nancy Lefko