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