Little Birdie

Thanks to Kathy and Melody of The Brave Girls Club for featuring my little bluebird in today's daily truth email.

I highly recommend you sign up to receive these always inspiring emails. I look forward to it every day.

© Brave Girls Club

THANK YOU SALE!

As a way of saying thanks for a wonderful year, I am having a SALE in my Etsy shop. Take 20% off any item in my shop now through January 1, 2011. Simply enter the coupon code HAPPY2011 at checkout.

Make sure you visit the shop again after the new year when I will be adding many pieces that have been published in Somerset Studio, Somerset Studio Gallery and Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazines.

Happy shopping and all the best to you for 2011.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ WINTER

A perfect theme for today as we brace for our first big snowfall of the season. WINTER has been a little late in rearing its head this year, but it's coming in with a vengeance today. I was happy with our little inch of snow for Christmas, but I know my youngest son is planning his adventures in a snow covered world. So, bring it on Mother Nature -- I'm braced.

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Order Your Copy Now!

The soon to be released ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE by Pam Carriker is something you surely want to add to your wish list. Pam's book is full of great art, essays and tips from a wide variety of mixed-media artists. Let's make it the #1 art/craft book on Amazon!

© Interweave Press

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

With Christmas just a few short days away, I want to wish all of you who take the time to share my artistic journey, the very merriest of Christmases.


Every corner of my home is filled with Christmas cheer, from the Dickens Village......to the vintage Santas



a snow covered church


and the sweetest of snowmen


and notice the gorgeous Christmas card from my dear friend Pam Carriker. You may recognize this piece as the cover of the Nov/Dec issue of Somerset Studio Magazine!


...and look at the wonderful (early) Christmas gifts I received from another dear friend...who really knows me very well. A gorgeous chunky magnet and a wall plaque by the very talented Kelly Rae Roberts from her Demdaco Collection. How fun!

I hope that Christmas finds your heart and home filled with love and the new year fulfills your heart's desire. As always, thanks so much for visiting.

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ DREAMING

This month's challenge over at the Melange Team Blog is DREAMING. This collage was created using an original photo found in a basket of discarded ephemera. I created a "life" for the girl in the photo, filling the collage with what might have been the dreams she had for her future. Would she sing with a band, travel the globe, work in the telegraph office or as a librarian?

Collages created in this style will be the focus of one of my workshops in October 2011 at Art Is...You: The East Coast Retreat. Until then...come on over and join in on the fun of the Melange challenges. They are posted at the blog on the first (or thereabouts) of every month and are open to everyone. Hope to see you there!

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Vote for Cover B!

A snippet of my "Naughty" collage is part of a proposed cover for the Spring '11 issue of Artful Blogging. Now granted, it's only a snippet (I have an article within) but I am excited nonetheless.

I'd sincerely appreciate your vote for Cover B at this link.

Thank you friends!

Image © Stampington, Inc.

Mixed Media Monday ~ 'TIS THE SEASON

'TIS THE SEASON is this month's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday.

Although I have been settled in beautiful New Hampshire for more than twenty years, New York will always be home. At this time of year I reflect on countless visits to NYC during the Christmas season. Whether as a child or a twenty-something, I was always in awe of the decorations, sights to behold and magic to be found. 'TIS THE SEASON for magic and memories.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

© Nancy Lefko

Sharon Arts Center Workshop

Just when you need a little something to take away the winter blahs, my new workshop will be offered at the Sharon Arts Center in beautiful Sharon, NH. If you are near to Southern NH or Northern MA, come and join me for 4 weeks of Mixed Media Art Journals beginning February 15, 2011.

Sweet Vintage Goodies

I know I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for others during the Cyber Sales at Etsy, and I did. But I could NOT resist this wonderfully adorned vintage ceramic high heel shoe from artist extraordinaire Kathy Maximo. I'd had my eye on this gorgeous assemblage for awhile and when I noticed Kathy's sale, I knew it was meant to be mine.

Kathy, being the kind and generous soul that she is, also included this charming vintage shoe ornament which is so sweet! Thank you, my friend.

Do yourself a favor and visit Kathy's wonderful Etsy shop for that perfect Christmas gift for someone special. And maybe a little something for yourself :)

Artwork © Kathy Maximo

Black Friday Sale

I'm having my first ever Black Friday Sale in my Etsy shop and you're invited!

Now through Cyber Monday, all items in my shop are 20% off when you use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2010.

Happy Shopping!!!

© Nancy Lefko

Thoughtful Gift Giving

Here we are again; that time of year when we are consumed with the notion of shopping for the perfect gift. While trying to find the perfect gift online or at the mall, perhaps take a moment to choose a gift from the heart.

Sherry Richert Belul has created a wonderful e-book that overflows with ideas for meaningful gift-giving. "Present Perfect" is a gift from the heart, all about giving from the heart.

I am honored to be a featured artist in Sherry's e-book and I am blown away by her wonderful creation.

May the most abundant gift you give and receive this holiday season be the gift of love.

Image © Sherry Richert Belul

Facing My Creative "Funk"

This condition is not new to any artist...the demon known as "artistic block" sidelines us all at one point or another. Lately, I have been feeling a drought of sorts and have had little to no interest in creating at my art desk (even if I did have the time, which has also been in short supply.) The combination of outside commitments, limited free time and near zero interest, has led to an awful creative funk.

I've gotta tell you, I'm not enjoying this drought/funk/block...it's filling my head with all sorts of self-doubts and pesky insecurities. So...what to do...what to do?

"Turn to an art friend and pour out your heart and you will be heard, nurtured, encouraged and kicked in the pants."

Yes, that's what I did, and I knew I would get sage advice and cheerleading and just what I needed to get off my duff. This is not to say that my funk is gone entirely, but I did throw myself back into creating and actually wished I had more time to devote to it today. That's a good sign.

This journal page started out as a lesson for an online portraits class that I am taking. However, en route to becoming a portrait page it took a U-turn and became more of a collage when I didn't like the direction it was headed. And that's okay. I'll try again on the portrait and perhaps will have better luck next time. In relying on my tried and true collage/journaling tricks, I took the page from..."eh, not too hot" to "yea, it's okay." Reworking is okay. Not everything needs to be perfect the first time nor wind up the way it started. This realization was supported when I read an article by Samantha Kira Harding in Somerset Studio. (Funny that I should read that article today right after reworking this page.) Samantha speaks right to the notion that going a different direction than what you had intended is A-OK. Thanks for that affirmation, Samantha.

And thanks to my dear friend Pam Carriker, for always being there and for an awesome portraits class too...and I promise, I won't flunk out...I'll keep trying.

© Nancy Lefko

Journal Page

Whenever I feel like there is just too much on my mind, it's a good idea to grab my journal for a "brain dump." Artistically done, of course.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ BURNING

Bitzy had a BURNING desire to be...you guessed it, naughty! (But not all the time.)

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Collage Play with Crowabout Week #102

There have been so many other commitments pulling me away from my studio lately. I walk past and look at my desk and art supplies longingly, knowing that I haven't the time to begin anything. Crafting, writing and just being a mom have taken up all of my available time.

Today I happened to peek at the collage sheet for Collage Play with Crowabout and just knew I had to MAKE time. And so I grabbed my journal, scissors, glue stick and markers and simply had fun. No deep, reflective journal page today...just pure fun for no other reason than to enjoy the creative process.

It had been FAR too long since I'd enjoyed taking part in Collage Play with Crowabout. It felt good to play in my journal with the wonderful collage elements that Nancy B. provides.

If you haven't yet visited the Collage Play with Crowabout blog, you really must do so. There is an abundance of inspiration and fun waiting for you there.

© Nancy Lefko

Mixed Media Monday ~ BOXING CLEVER

This month's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is BOXING CLEVER.

I'm not sure that this qualifies as clever, but it is indeed a box...one that was meant for a seamstress. I know that within my sewing box I have many other little boxes that hold notions and other sundries. This little box now belongs to the mother of a dear friend, and I hope that it has come to good use for that seamstress.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ HOME

This month's challenge over at the Melange Team Blog is HOME.

Come on over and join in on the fun of the Melange challenges. They are posted at the blog on the first (or thereabouts) of every month and are open to everyone. Hope to see you there!

© Nancy Lefko

Pursuing Portraits with Pam

Over the course of the last few weeks I've found myself in a creative funk. I haven't felt motivated to create anything or even to visit my studio. I have not been enjoying this feeling. Yesterday, seeking inspiration, I turned to my workshop with Pam Carriker at Creative Workshops. Since signing up for the class, I had neither the time nor the motivation to begin, but I knew that I needed to push myself and I am glad that I did.

In the second lesson for Pursuing Portraits, the assignment is to create a journal page using a copy of your own image and collage elements that represent what is important to you. In no time I was rolling along, immersed in my journal page and sorry I had stayed away from my art desk for so long.

Thanks Pam, for the inspiration, not to mention the wonderful lessons in Pursuing Portraits.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ SPOOKY

A perfect prompt for this SPOOKY time of year...the wind is howling and the leaves are flying, but the dead needn't give you the shivers.

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ TRANSPORTATION

Stella chose an interesting means of TRANSPORTATION.

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

© Nancy Lefko

"Mix It Up with Melange" Challenge ~ SPOOKY

This month's challenge over at the Melange Team Blog is SPOOKY.

Come on over and join in on the fun of the Melange challenges. They are posted at the blog on the first (or thereabouts) of every month and are open to everyone. Hope to see you there!

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Beauties with Attitude

Two icons of style and beauty --oh, and a little sass-- Mae West and Coco Chanel, inspire these mixed media collages.


Collages available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Vixens are Back

After creating a variety of mixed media pieces over the past few weeks, I came to realize that it had been quite awhile since I'd created a piece full of sass and attitude. And so, my vintage vixens are back and full of spunk.


When I first began creating in mixed media a number of years back, these lovely ladies took center stage on many of my collages; I enjoy giving new life to such exuberant spirits.


And so, ladies, welcome back.

Collages available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Mixed Media Monday ~ ART

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is ART.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

© Nancy Lefko

Mixed Media Monday ~ BUTTONS

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is BUTTONS.

I have two jars filled with vintage buttons that I love to use on mixed media creations. This fabric collage was created in the manner taught in my Painted Fabric Collage workshop at Creative Workshops.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ PROVERB

I'm not exactly sure if this quote would be considered a PROVERB, but I like it just the same.

"Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark." ~Tagore

Faith is what keeps me going...it keeps optimism in my heart.

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

Happy weekend :)

© Nancy Lefko

Sharon Arts Center Open House

It will be my sincere pleasure to offer a two hour romp into art journaling at the wonderful Sharon Arts School of Art and Craft in Sharon, New Hampshire this Saturday, September 11. The art journaling demo/make & take is from 1-3 pm; details are available at the website.

The Sharon Arts School of Art and Craft has a wonderful assortment of classes for all interests and abilities and many will be represented at the Open House which begins at 9:30 am. If you live in or near Southern New Hampshire, I encourage you to take a look at the fall schedule of classes available at the website. Hope to see you there !

Halloween Already?

It only took a little chill in the air today to remind me that fall is almost here and Halloween is soon to follow.

I have added nine Halloween mixed media collages to my Etsy shop, many that were featured in the Winter 2010 issue of Somerset Studio Gallery magazine.

Swoop on over and have a peek!

© Nancy Lefko

Let's Get This Party Started

Another great mail day!

I received my prize from the I Love to Create Giveaway and can't wait to get started playing with this fun spray cannon and paints.

Many thanks to the folks at I Love to Create and Tulip. I'll be sure to show off my experimentations with this great new toy.

Good Mail Day

Isn't it great to go out to the mailbox and find not one, but TWO wonderful goodies?

Today my new business cards arrived and also the much anticipated September/October issue of Somerset Studio magazine.


My Halloween artwork was accepted for this publication, which is always a thrill. Many thanks to Nancy Baumiller for the inspiration for "She Loved the Ghost"...it was my entry in her Collage Play with Crowabout last year.

This issue of Somerset Studio also contains a wonderful article by my friend Pam Carriker and a great deal more of glorious artwork by the best in the mixed media field.

Images © Stampington, Inc. and Nancy Lefko

"Art Is...You" Art Auction

Art Is...You -- The East Coast Art Retreat will be holding an art auction during the retreat this October. The money raised will directly benefit the work of Dr. Thomas Romo III, and the Little Baby Face Foundation.

I have been working on my donation and believe that it is ready to send.

I am honored to be teaching at the retreat next year with such wonderfully generous artists.

© Nancy Lefko

Interview at JoyfulArts Studio

Thanks to Jeniffer Hutchins of JoyfulArts Studio for the wonderful interview at her website. I am truly grateful for the "kindness of strangers," and their willingness to take the time to promote my art.

The online art community is filled with generous souls. Thank you Jeniffer, for your generosity.

© Nancy Lefko

Blue Day

Changes are on the horizon...changes for which I'm not quite ready. Today those changes loomed large and the thought of them changed my mood for the worse. The rain and chill in the air seemed to sink deep into my soul and bring me down even more.

In an effort to snap myself out of this mood, I turned to my journal. I'd like to say the artwork was cathartic and changed my mood for the better. It did not, but at least I felt as if I'd accomplished something.

I suppose some days are just meant to be blue.

© Nancy Lefko

New Notecards

Thanks to the lovely Valerie Walsh and a giveaway at her blog, I was the winner of 50 free notecards from UPrinting.

It's always great fun to take an image of my own making and see it transformed into a notecard, postcard, business card, etc. I enjoy the process on the computer (most of the time :) and when the finished product arrives in the mail...well, I LOVE that! (I secretly dream of having my artwork licensed for greeting cards, so I suppose I get a chance to pretend when the cards arrive.)

Thank you, Valerie and thank you, UPrinting!!

© Nancy Lefko

Journal Inspiration

Just when I needed a little "kick in the pants" to get creative, along came some wonderful tutorials by my very dear friend, the talented Pam Carriker. (applause, applause)

Pam has posted a tutorial page at her website and after viewing the first one, Mixed Media Art Journaling Techniques, I was SO inspired that I promised myself I would make time for my journal that very day.

You will see that on the journal page above, I followed Pam's example rather closely, with a little spin of my own. Using the paint-over technique Pam describes was new for me, and so much fun.


My second page was a bit more of a challenge in the paint-over department as the face I chose was so small. She really turned out looking more like an "evil" queen, but it's just practice and a learning experience--that's the beauty of an art journal, right Pam?

I plan to try more paint-overs in my journal with more than just faces, and see what that's like. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, make sure to visit Pam's website where there is more than just tutorials to whet your creative appetite. And if you didn't know, Pam's first book will be released soon and is now available for pre-order at Amazon. I am honored to have been a contributing artist on Pam's book and share in her joy upon its release. Woo Hoo, Pam!

© Nancy Lefko

Workshop Sample

Finished a workshop sample today. I used some of the great vintage ephemera from Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake and the "peeling paint" technique from Claudine Hellmuth's book, Collage Discovery Workshop.

I had fun and accomplished a task all at the same time. It's a good thing.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ STAR GAZING

I'm not sure if they'll actually be GAZING at the STARS, or simply enjoying the ambience.

I encourage you to visit the Illustration Friday website, follow the links and find all of the wonderful artwork and blogs.

© Nancy Lefko