Kristen Robinson

Belle Armoire Jewelry Autumn 2008

My yesterdays walk with me. They keep step, they are gray faces that peer over my shoulder.

WILLIAM GOLDING, New York Times, Oct. 7, 1983

I find it to be one of the most amazing experiences when friends join together to create. Last winter my dear friend Judy was visiting from afar. While she was here we had a good amount of adventure and fun mixed with creativity and story telling.

Many of you may know the history of little doll parts unearthed from their slumber in Germany. Darling torsos, arms and legs that have been perfectly preserved amongst the soil of the earth.

Judy avidly seeks these little darlings. Seeking them to insure history is passed on to others, as well as incorporating them into artwork that tells the story of the past; a story that must be passed on to the fragile future.

Gifting Ruth and I each with one of these darlings spurred the creative juices and the wheels began to spin within our minds. Soon the three of us were diligently working to create what would become our angels.

To learn more of the creative journey the three of us embarked on one sunny winter day pick up the latest issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry available now on newsstands!

Oui Oui Marie - Antoinette That Is

Lavish fabrics, luscious jewels, divine cakes and tempting ribbons filled the halls of the Palace of Versailles. The beauty of the 18th century has inspired so many beautiful and enchanting pieces of artwork. Stampington is seeking artwork inspired by the Divine Marie Antoinette. To learn more about this wonderful and exciting publication click on the flier above and print it out!

Commotion

The day after I took a class with Jesse Reno my Little Guy looked over my pieces and asked when he could do that. After a trip to the art store and bottles and bottles of paint later we arrived home to play and have a good time. Although I have always encouraged my Little Guy to create with paint in whatever way he wished (I had baby wipes and a bathroom close by) he was stunned to see me painting with my fingers. The result of the day was many canvases that all had a story attached to them. However, this canvas was my favorite - I asked him if it had a name and he said commotion. Why commotion - because everything is going everywhere at the same time Mom.

I felt it was fitting to post this during the first week of school as it has been much like this painting. It seems we have traveled from school to soccer practice to meetings and driving into Los Angeles and Hollywood at strange hours (to pick up Travis) it has been a week full of commotion.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

A dream is a wish your heart makes.

 

Living in Southern California a popular past time has always been Disneyland. I will let you in on a secret - I could go to Disneyland every day of my life and never tire of it. This last week I was there not once but three times, and each visit seemed to show me things that I had perhaps forgotten and in some cases never seen. I have always believed the park to be the truest of testimonies to dreams; proving when one's heart so strongly believes in a DREAM nothing is impossible. Magic surrounds each visitor, cocooning everyone from the real world that lay beyond the gates. Urging all who visit to believe in their dreams!

It is only fitting that the park is once again continuing the magic with the most spectacular celebration deemed "The Year of a Million Dreams." If we think about it each year we have on this earth should be the year of a million dreams - we all have the ability to DREAM big and do our best to make those dreams a reality.

As I watched the six little feet in front of me I thought of the many hopes and dreams we all have as children, there is nothing better then dreaming with a child's heart. It is an amazing journey watching these little darlings DREAM big!

 

Aren't we all drawn to magic, especially as children. What happens that as adults we tend to forget the magic? Responsibilities and realities convince us we should not be dreamers but rather logical. Hmmm I think Buzz and Woody had it right "Reach for the Sky."

Just imagine what it would be like if we all took our hopes and dreams off the pages of our journals and minds and put them out there into the world.

 

This trip to Disneyland seemed to reignite me, remind me and rejuvenate me. A day in the park was a gift, a reminder to DREAM and BELIEVE! To think it all started with a little mouse and a man with a DREAM!

PS Check out my friend Jenny's blog she has wonderful new posts on Dreaming and Believing!

If You Give a Witch an Inch - Inchies That Is

 

Tuscan Rose has created delightful new collage sheets full of tricks and treats that will not only bring a bit of nostalgia into your Halloween but fun and wonderful colors. I had such fun playing with these wonderful snippets of artwork. Check out this week's Creative Impulse from Stampington for instruct ructions and more photos!

Sharing a Recipe

I like to attach a tag to everything I send out the door. Quite honestly it is adorned with whatever seems to be my fancy at the time. For a while now I have been stuck on pale pink. After many e-mails and notes asking what process I used to achieve this color I felt it would be a good thing to share with everyone. So here it is:

Pink Delights

2 Cups Boiling Water (and I mean boiling so be careful)

2 Bags Raspberry Zinger Tea by Celestial

1 Box of Jewelry Hang Tags (make sure the are not coated)

1 Clothes Pin

To 2 cups of boiling water add 2 Raspberry Zinger Tea Bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Once the tea has steeped appropriately begin dipping the entire tag (tag and string into water). This process works best when you have attached the tags to a clothes pin eliminating the need to place your fingers into the water. Repeat this process three times. Lay the tags out flat on a cookie sheet that has been lined with an old tea towel and place in the sun to dry.

So my friends there it is a recipe for pink tea tags. Enjoy playing!!!!

A Bit of Quicksilver Innocence

For some time now my little guy has been perusing the aisles of local surf shops, however up until today I was not sure he really understood the difference between other T- Shirts and those he calls his Surfer shirts. As we approached the mall little guy said to me -

"Mommy we are not going to Old Navy are we?"

I answered "Yes we are."

"But Mommy I want Surfer clothes, you know I am a first grader now."

As I scanned the parking lot it hit me like a ton of bricks, my little guy is growing up way too quickly. When had little guy begun to understand trendy. When did first graders begin to understand trendy as a whole? As we made our way through the store I watched as I let him choose his clothes an entirely different child emerged, opinions on color and texture became a topic of interest.

As our shopping trip drew to a close little guy looked up and said "Mommy I think I need a plaid backpack." Of course the backpack of choice Qiucksilver. At this point I begin thinking that perhaps Quicksilver had some secret marketing strategy that was invisible to me. I asked little guy why he was so drawn to the brand - the answer was a surprise.

"I like the wave on the tag because it reminds me of going to the beach as a family."

The time might be passing by quickly and little guy is thinking about trends however the innocence and the sweetness is still there in abundance!

A Charming Exchange

Two of my wonderful friends have brought together the creme a la creme in the Mixed Media World to create and share - the result a FABULOUS book.

There are those books that inspire us to create, and there are those books that inspire us to learn. Rarely are there books that inspire us to learn and create as much as possible about techniques and assembly and most intriguingly more about the artist or in this case the artists Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae.

Kelly and Ruth have mastered the art of jewelry collaboratives working with an array of artists who honor us with amazing and wonderful creations that prove to create a gallery of masterpieces. Written in a manner that not only takes the reader on a journey but also clearly articulates skills and techniques that you may not currently employ. If you have not given yourself this gift do so as soon as possible as it is flying off shelves, Amazon does have copies available as well. I can guarantee this book will quickly become one of your favorite and best loved art books!

On the Shelves this August

The annual issue of Somerset Home has emerged from the printing presses and I must say it is delightful. With a creative and colorful cover featuring the artful creation of Jenny Doh to the project filled pages, the issue is a lovely. Editor Amanda Nolan has gathered an amazing feast for the eyes.

I am honored to once again be included in this wonderful publication. My inspiration rack which was born from a paint grid, trinkets and baubles which flooded my desk joins a rack created by Rebecca Sower in a wonderful article written by Morgan McLaughlin.

My Lady's Desk is also included, learn how I took an ordinary desk top organizer and turned into a writing desk reminiscent of writing desks of yesteryear.

And finally my Handkerchief Vignettes dance amongst the pages; hoping to inspire you to pull out your vintage treasures and start displaying them in what ever fashion moves you.

Christmas in August? The new Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection is on the stands. Holiday Crafts offers 93 Holiday projects ranging from Halloween to Christmas. A little something for everyone as everything from fabric and felt to paint and paper is used.

I was honored to be asked to create Christmas Cones for the publication - I love the spray of pine that flows from my creation. The issue is full of amazing photography, wonderful clear instructions and a packet of patterns.

A Visit to Stampington In Two Parts

PART ONE

Last week I journeyed to one of my favorite places to visit, Stampington (not once but twice). Many of you know this is a journey that I make often however I have to share something with you......as I make my final turn that will lead me into the parking lot of the office my heart beat rises a bit, excitement floods me and I feel as though it is my first visit all over again.

After spending a bit of time reflecting on this I have come to realize why I feel this way. Stampigton is an amazing place of inspiration and quite frankly talent. From the amazing staff to the artwork that lies behind the front door the entire experience is much like that of attending a party.

On occasion I have had the pleasure of sharing time with fellow artists. This last week was no exception on Tuesday (visit one) I met up with one of my fellow Artsmiths and amazing artist Angela Cartwright. Getting a sneak peek of some of Angela's new and divine pieces was a wonderful treat one which all Somerset reader's will relish and enjoy.

PART TWO

On Friday the journey to Laguna Hills occurred for the second time in the week. This time I was joined by three amazing friends Lorraine George, Deryn Mentock and Ruth Rae. While visiting Deryn and Lorraine enjoyed a tour of the offices.

Oohs and aahs flooded the halls as we were introduced to new and inspiring works from wonderful new artists as well as those we have all come to admire so much. Seeing everything laid out prior to finding it's way into a publication is an amazing experience, a feast for the eyes if you will.

A perfect photo of two very inspirational women in the art community - posed in front of creations submitted for the new Stampington publication Apronolgy. Remember to submit by September 15th!!!!! Check out Jenny's cute shoes.

Move over Vanna Deryn and Lorraine have arrived. I could not resist posting this photo of two fun and wonderful friends who I enjoyed spending the day with!!!!

Stay tuned for my next post.....a day with Jesse Reno!