Love and Peace Meme

I have been tagged by Roberta Baird with the love and peace meme. If you choose to participate, you are to include a link to the origin of the meme and to take some time to contemplate peace and pray for the countries that are facing trouble. Personally, I would like to add that we pray for our men and women in uniform spending every day in harm's way.

I pass the love and peace meme on to:

Ginger Nielson

Diane Duda

Michelle Henninger

Diana Evans

Thank you and God Bless.

Illustration Friday ~ Theory

Here's one gal's theory...sounds good to me.

This is a piece from the 'archives' which I thought fit the topic today. I think I'll go have some of that rich coffee right about now. Cheers !!

© Nancy Lefko

Quiet Weekend

It was a quiet weekend, which allowed for some time to create in the studio...with the space heater on HIGH, as it was also a cold and snowy weekend. I now have four new collages listed on ebay. The one above makes me think of "vintage Hollywood." It must have been a wonderful place back in the 30's, 40's and 50's. There was a touch of class that seems so lacking now. I also think about what old New York must have been like, with the clubs that had floor shows and orchestras...the likes of Ricky Ricardo crooning at the Tropicana. The clubs in New York today? No, thanks.

Ahhhh.....I guess I'm just a vintage girl.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Choose

This piece was made for a cancer survivor and seems to fit the theme today. In this collage I wanted to send a message of strength and hope...a message to CHOOSE LIFE. It celebrates all those who fight with a vengeance and never give up.

© Nancy Lefko

How About That !

My thanks to the very talented Diana Evans for this sweet award. Just the thing I am needing on this very dreary winter day...with yet more snow and another delayed opening of school. If you haven't done so, you really must visit Diana's blog. She posts fabulous art every day and sometimes recipes to go along with her scrumptious illustrations. Mmmmmm...thanks Diana !!

I pass along this award to an artist whose work I adore and also to my very tired husband. (Thanks, Rich, for clearing the driveway yet again !!)

Candace Trew Camling

Rich Lefko

SEW Much Fun !!

A few months back I was making paper bag albums quite frequently...about once a week. But after a while I grew tired of the process and decided to focus solely on collage work. But this past weekend I thought I'd make another album just for fun. And it actually WAS fun and did not feel like "work" which, a few months back, it had started to feel. I had always had in mind the notion (pardon the pun) of making a sewing-themed album. I thought there might be someone out there who has a collection of sewing-related ephemera needing a home. So here is the result and if you would like to see the rest of the pages, it will be on Ebay by tomorrow.

© Nancy Lefko

Images: Enchanted Mercantile

A Different Kind of Painting

This week I didn't spend any time creating art in my studio and that is because it was being used for another kind of painting. My dear husband made this china cupboard for me a number of months ago. Our deal with any piece of furniture he makes for me is..."If you build it, I'll finish it." It took me a long time to get around to painting this cupboard and I finally decided to put all art aside until it was finished. Well, here it is holding Fiestaware in my dining room. Didn't he do a wonderful job ?? He builds from drawings I make or pictures from magazines and creates his own plans. Not bad. I guess I'll keep him.

Illustration Friday ~ Blanket

Can someone please get this gal a BLANKET ??

© Nancy Lefko

I've Been Tagged...

I've been tagged by the very sweet Mere aka Victorian Lady to list 5 things about me...

Let's see...

1. I enjoy the occasional cocktail...Cosmopolitans with Raspberry Absolut are my poison of choice.

2. In winter, my hands are frighteningly dry...ouch !!

3. My favorite type of interior decorating is 'Cottage Style.'

4. I adore the coast of Maine.

5. I hate to GET up early, but I like to BE up early (WHAT ??)

Since I have recently tagged a bunch of you...rather than do it again, I'll just close by saying, should the mood strike you...consider yourself TAGGED !!

© Nancy Lefko

Coming Soon !!

I am pleased to say that I have finally gotten off my 'duff' and begun the process of opening a 'store' over at CafePress. I can't tell you how long I have been planning to do this...too long...that nasty procrastinator in me took hold for quite a while. But I have shaken free and started the process. I have created a product and ordered it for myself. When I know that I am pleased with the quality I will open up shop !! I have often thought that I needed to give longer life to my collage work and this seems like a no-fuss way to make that happen. I am excited and nervous (what if no one shops there ??) about this new venture. I will DEFINITELY let you all know when my 'shingle' is officially up. Thanks for all of your encouraging words...they really do help to give me confidence, even in a small venture such as this.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Tales and Legends

I really came up short on today's topic for Illustration Friday. Without the time today to head to the studio to whip up something new, I dug down deep to one of my much earlier works. A few years ago I was new to the world of collage and hadn't quite found my style nor the materials I now enjoy using in my artwork. Frequent visitors to my blog or website may notice in this collage the complete absence of paint, distress inks or fluid chalk inks...items I cannot live without today! Isn't it funny how we evolve into the artist we were meant to be? Anyway, with all that aside, here is my entry, good or bad, and here's a wish to all the wonderful bloggers who support and encourage me..."May you always have a fairy godmother looking out for you!"

© Nancy Lefko

Angel

This little angel needs a home...she was listed on ebay and alas, no one took notice. I was puzzled, because for me, she speaks right to my heart. Actually, she looks very much like a neighbor girl. Could she be a long lost ancestor? (It makes me think of that 'Bewitched' episode where Darrin finds a portrait in an antique shop that is the spitting image of Samantha...uh oh...my age is showing. :) Anyway, I am hoping that the next time I list this little angel on ebay, she can find the place where she belongs.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Plain

For today's IF submission, just a simple little 'Plain Jane'...

...she's too modest.

© Nancy Lefko

Thank You Diana !

The wonderfully talented artist, Diana Evans has bestowed upon me the "You Make My Day Award." Diana is a faithful visitor to my blog and leaves kind and supportive comments. "Thanks, Diana." Now it is my pleasure to do the following:

1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day.
2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3. Display the "You Make my Day Award" logo with a link to the post that I wrote. (Optional)
4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news.

I have chosen the following gifted and wonderful artists who 'make my day' every time I visit their blogs. Thank you ladies for brightening my days and bringing a smile to my face.

Ginger Nielson

Diane Duda

Kelly Rae Roberts

Lindsay Brackeen

Leigh Hannan

Ooo La La

One never knows from where inspiration will strike. This weekend, the two collages pictured here were inspired by a vintage French schoolbook. I found the text at the 'mini-mall' at our town recycling center. This is a wonderful place to find old books to use in collage. I felt as if I had hit the jackpot when I found this French textbook from the 1920's. I knew I held the promise of art in my hands.

© Nancy Lefko