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

Illustration Friday ~ Stitch

Deciding what to post for this week's topic, STITCH, was not easy. I immediatly knew I would choose a collage to celebrate the American seamstress, but which one ? So I took the easy way out and posted a few. Frequent visitors to my blog or website know that I enjoy collaging around a 'sewing theme.' Two of these photos are from an altered book I made that features the world of the seamstress. This theme is a personal favorite...I have been sewing since the age of twelve and have always loved fabric stores, notions and the smell and feel of new fabric. I have quilted for years, but it has never been the hand-quilting that thrilled me, but the piecing together of bits of fabric to make a new and fabulous design. It is amazing what one can create 'stitch by stitch.'

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ 100%

It is not always easy to trust in someone 100%...for me it means letting go of control and believing without doubt, and that can be hard. It is even harder when trust has been broken and you need to learn how to believe again. The human condition is so fragile and can be so flawed and yet if we do not trust in each other, then what do we have ?

© Nancy Lefko

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

This little lady is filled with all those intangibles that make life so sweet...and my wishes for all of you in this new year. May we always remember what really matters in this life and keep them close to our hearts.

© Nancy Lefko

Femme Fatale

This is the first collage I have done since before Christmas. It was hard to get back in the groove of creating, as it has been quite a while and also I have come down with the "post-Christmas cold." At least it waited this long to strike and at least I am the only one in the house afflicted so far. I prepped two more canvases today and hopefully tomorrow I will be visited by a muse and will make it back into my studio, which nowadays needs the space heater to be tolerable.

So for my last post of 2007, I wish you all a glorious new year and all the blessings you so deserve. You have done much for this artist's heart and soul through your supportive and kind comments. THANK YOU.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ Soar

True and passionate love...it makes the heart SOAR.

© Nancy Lefko

Sewing Mom

This collage was done as a Christmas present for a friend's mom. It is one of a few custom pieces I have made lately. I find it lots of fun to create for a SPECIFIC person and to bounce ideas off a customer and create exactly what they are looking for. (If you are interested in a custom collage, see the link on this blog.)

© Nancy Lefko

"Merry Christmas to All !!"

My most sincere wish to all of you for a blessed Christmas filled with the warmth of family and friends. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kind comments that you send my way. Your words mean a great deal to me and are most appreciated. All the best to you in the new year !!

Illustration Friday ~ Horizon

This Christmas season, I am feeling especially homesick for my roots...New York, that is. I wish that it were right over the HORIZON and I could be immersed in all that is New York at Christmastime. But alas, it is much farther away than that and I suppose I'll have to settle for watching Christmas movies set in New York. Maybe tonight it will be 'Serendipity'...a little skating in Central Park, dessert in a quaint cafe, shopping at Bloomingdale's...sounds lovely.

© Nancy Lefko