judy kahooti

Best Birthday Present Ever!

2011-08-21T12:32:00.001-07:00

My cousin Dolly sent me this wonderful piece of art that she did for my 69th birthday. It's really special and I love it so. Thank you Dolly.

That's me saying "how" in Sedona with my wool shawl and pink shoe laces. I'm 69 this week.

Words to live by....

2011-07-26T18:17:00.001-07:00

"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. "

--Plato

Hello Big Boy!

2011-07-22T06:39:00.001-07:00

Stopped at a red light in Hadley! Looked over and what do I see? This big boy starin' at me!

Lost and Found

2011-06-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

I spend a lot of time looking for things! Things I just had a minute ago. The worst thing a person can do is clean up, organize and rearrange. It's deadly. Let me explain. I tend to remember where things were before I rearranged. Not the new place I put it. Old buttons, vintage photographs, well, you get the idea. The photograph shown here doesn't have anything to do with what I just said. Except for the words Lost and Found. That has every thing to do with my predicament. Finding that lost "thing" makes me so happy. You would think I hit the lottery.
Anyway, working with photoshop, in layers, the vintage girls, old shoe buttons and antique lace. Then I play with the images, painting, cropping, layering with various degrees of opacity.

This began with a photo I took of some vintage horse show ribbons. They are on ebay this week. $20 for all 7. Pleated rayon ribbon looks great and the horse medallions really look cool. Worked in photoshop, painted edges of photo and posterized it, too.

All Day Working On Three Burties!

2011-06-21T14:40:00.001-07:00

Tall as a toilet paper roll; covered in papers and paint; paper wings added; little legs and feet out of beads and wire. Center Burtie has a cute little striped apron. Lace is added, buttons and lace topknots! fun...fun...fun... oh, and a little glitter...I love glitter!!!

The gift was given to Kathleen

2011-06-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

I woke up last Sunday morning at 5:30am. I was meeting Kathleen to give her a gift. She had given me an antique celluloid hand mirror and I painted it (see above) but this is not how the finished one looked. Repainted it at 5:30 Sunday morning. I'll post the one I gave her a little later. The flea market brought all kinds of goodies but my favorite was an 1800's handmade linen sheet. Delish! It even had three little monograms in one corner in turkey red thread. Oh my. The lady I bought it from told me she had purchased this piece along with other tablecloths at an auction. So...in my mind....it said...you are buying a tablecloth....but when I got it home and started really looking at it, I see that it was made in two pieces, each 36" wide and sewn together. Victorian times women embroidered their initials into their bedclothes but not tablecloths. It's lovely and I'm happy to have it.

A New Burtie! Fly Away Home!

2011-06-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

My friends have been saving toilet paper rolls for me. I must have 500 or so. Today Burtie appeared from the stack of TP rolls. You can stick all kinds of paper to them, with diluted white glue. You can stamp on them, paint them with acrylic paints, gesso and then "zentangle" the wings. Little copper wire feet, handpainted face and some nesting going on in Burtie's head. I'll be looking for a few little eggs to lay in the nest. I do love the wings....old French hat flowers...which are so yummy. And an old gold watch flexible band around the neck. What fun!

My friend Kathleen gave me a wonderful old celluloid mirror this morning at the flea market. So next week, when we meet up, I'll give it back to her, all decorated with things that she likes....flowers, mostly. It's a surprise. I'll post it when it's finished.

It's been a very relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, AZ

2011-06-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

I took this photo in the late afternoon. The trees remind me of dancing warriors. It was a magical place.

Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, AZ

2011-06-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Ava

2011-05-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is little Ava. She is Cindy Padol Cheeks grand daughter. I must tell you that Ava and her grandmother look the same. That little mouth. And those big brown eyes. It's amazing!!! Cindy was a beautiful baby and Ava....well, what a little beauty.

I love the desert! A zentangle desert!

2011-05-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

This zentangle was done in Arizona...see the snake? And the papoose? And the rocks? And the cactus? I love the desert!

A zentangle for Nikki

2011-05-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

This zentangle was drawn with a micron no. 1 pen (you can get them at Michaels). What's fun about drawing in this method is, you never really know how it is going to turn out...and you just accept it. And most always, they are fun and unpredictable. Go zentangle!

2011-05-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Painting with friends at the Stone House

2011-05-18T17:55:00.001-07:00

Wisteria blooming on the Stone House. Spent Thursday through Sunday -- learning fabulous watercolor techniques at the most wonderful place on the ocean just North of Boston, Manchester by the sea. Sixteen artists and writers came together to make beautiful little paintings. Writers write. Painters paint. The vegetarian lunches and dinners were interesting. The dip and chips along with great wine was so tasty. Thank you Barbara for inviting me to go with you.

This is the best consignment shop in New England. What fun. I almost bought a Coach travel bag for $125.00. Well I did buy it, but when I put it into the car I noticed it was a little worn on one side, so I returned it. They were gracious. Took it back! If I had more time, I would have shopped for a few more hours. Yes hours. Things I didn't buy...4 sets of antique dishes, a watercolor of a horse woman in the saddle, Two Skagen watches. Designer fabric. A tablecloth and napkin set. Not for me but to sell on ebay, of course. THIS IS MY FAVORITE STORE. I WILL DRIVE 2 1/2 HOURS ONCE A MONTH.....YES I WILL.

Just felt like painting a pear

2011-04-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Working with acrylics and colored pencils, this pear has gone through many changes. But it ended up being pleasing to me. I like swirls. Mixed media. 5" X 7"

I can't stop doing zentangles....help!

2011-03-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

These are so addicting. Once you start, you can't quit. I may need therapy to get me out of this. It's these Micron pens. They are so fine and you can get really good detail. Dots, Circles, Wavy Lines..you just make it up as you go along. Go to www.zentangle.com for lots of ideas. My grand daughter, Jessie, is so good at these. So I dedicated this one to her.

Cute or not?

2011-03-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

I don't know her name. I don't know if it's a boy or girl. I do know that this is the cutest little puppy I've ever seen. Do you agree?

2011-03-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!

Oh, I sold something!!!

2011-03-14T19:52:00.000-07:00

I took some of my artwork to an antique show yesterday. My latest piece (above) has three little boys at the beach, each with their toy trucks....and they have discovered girls (to the right). It was wonderful when the buyer said to me, "I get this"....she told me that she teaches middle school. Mixed Media: Sea shells inside the lid of a jewelry box, brass corners, old linen and cheesecloth, a gray bird feather all mounted to an 1840 leather book cover. Titled "a day at the beach" by me, JudyKahooti. Well, I'm a happy girl!

Heather Hall Premieres at The Artisan Gallery!

2011-02-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

If you are in Northampton, MA this weekend, you must see Heather Hall's fabulous felted wool and silk scarves at The Artisan Gallery, 162 Main Street. They are exquisite and Heather Hall is a local artisan. Check her out!

Snow and more snow....

2011-01-31T11:43:00.000-08:00

Late afternoon sun on the marina in Northampton.
The porch swing was replaced this winter by a nice cozy brown sofa. Taken on the road to the marina.

The light on these tall pines was so powerful.

2011-01-25T05:11:00.000-08:00

Extraordinary photo...(to share)

It's Antique Hardware That I'm After...

2011-01-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

I still look for vintage linens and lace when I'm out shopping for ebay...but yesterday it was all about hardware. Mostly brass doorknob plates and latches.

When you are thinking about renovating your home, look for that "perfect something" to close a cabinet door. It can bring character into an ordinary room.

To bid on one of these or look at others up for auction go to ebay seller judykahooti
Happy shopping!

Duck, Duck, GOOSE EGGS!

2010-12-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

Sunday mornings, for me, mean expectation! I begin thinking about it late Saturday night and into the few hours. What will I find at the flea market that will be new and different?

Voila! A basket of seven blown-out goose eggs! Eye candy! The largest is almost 4 inches long.

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Joy To The World

2010-12-23T11:49:00.001-08:00

I have fallen in love with "paper" -- it's so much fun to work with! And glitter, of course. There is a velvet button at the center with a fan fold circle on a textured paper. I made the brown textured paper look like it was blanket stitched around the edge....and that's it! Happy Holidays to all!

Button, Button...Whose got the button?

2010-12-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

The Crescent Button Club of Holyoke met yesterday at Piccadilly Pub in West Springfield for their annual Christmas Luncheon. It was wonderful and full of surprises. One button lover brought a box of wonderful buttons and we were free to pick from the box. I was lucky to get three buttons on a little card featuring a waistcoat image with the buttons attached. oh, so cute. Jan from Maine was a pleasure to meet. She's a quilter -- and we all know that quilters are the best people to know. And she came all the way from Maine to be present at the luncheon. I brought two crafted things and they were won by a couple of lucky ladies. We all brought 24 cards, one for each member. So we all went home with 24 or so cards to open at home. What fun. And I can use those cards in my craft projects which really was great. There were homemade cookie presents, homemade salty snacks, a package that contained a package of Kleenex, a pencil, just what you need when you are out at the flea market on Sunday mornings and the temperature is close to freezing and your nose starts running. They thought of everything. A tin of candy -- I won't be eating that but I know several friends who will enjoy it. Lunch was delicious and the service was great. I highly recommend this restaurant. Stop in during the holidays and say hello.

I can't wait until next year. Thank you, Button Club for a wonderful time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T18:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, are you like me? Are you talking to yourself and saying, "I've made way too much food for Thanksgiving." Yikes....what was I thinking. I'm feeding 4 adults and 2 children ages 12 and 9. Here's my menu...let me know if you think I've gone a little crazy...a 9 pound roasted turkey breast, oyster dressing, cranberry and cherry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, yams, ambrosia, green salad, green bean casserole with French fried onion rings, and carmelized onions, oh my. Rolls and butter. Then I made a small cheesecake, a big spice cake and oh, I forgot about the huge apple pie that I put in the freezer for Thanksgiving. Got to have vanilla ice cream with the pie, right?

Jessie and Jacob came for a visit!

2010-11-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Jessie and Jacob were at our house for two days...and it was fun-filled. Jessie learned to sew on my Janome sewing machine. This is her first sewing project and I couldn't be more proud of her. She cut the squares, selected the ones she thought looked good together and then sewed them on the sewing machine. The best part about my Janome is you can regulate the speed. I had it on the slowest, which was a very good place for a beginner. Jessie is 9 and was in total control of this project.
Jacob, our grandson, is 12 and he was delighted with himself as he learned to play the piano with two hands. It isn't easy but he did a wonderful job. I can't wait for him to return so he can bang out this duet with his sister, Jessie. It was a blast.

The only bad thing that happened -- a large shopping bag of halloween candy was on the floor and our dog Boomer had himself several lollipops, two bags of malted milk balls, a Hershey bar and more! And yes, he threw the "paper" and the "chocolate" up two days later. Lovely!

And then today, Boomer had himself a salami on rye with potato chips, when we weren't looking! He has been a very bad boy! But we still love him.

Wednesday Evening is Craft Night in Northampton!

2010-09-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

I signed up, along with my friend Kathleen, to take a 6-week, 2-hours each week, class at an adorable shop called "Sticks & Bricks". Check them out at http://www.sticksandbricksnoho.com/. Two young lawyers, Jen and Laurie, who just love to make something out of nothing, got together and started this craft night in this shop. They did a great job. Very well organized with lots of crafting material to choose from. Jen's little one showed up at the side door last night to say "Hi" along with her hubby, of course. And Laurie is going to have twins in March. Wow! Crafting for her will no doubt be put on hold! But back to the evening of crafting. There were 6 of us. We created one-of-a-kind glass trays made from our own original paper designs and/or fabric. I loved the Maritime Nautical maps that were fabulous looking. They worked great on the tiles (coasters) as well. Next week we finish up these projects and move on to something else! Can't wait. Fun...with very nice people. Did I say there was wine and donuts? My two favorite things! Next week I'll take some pictures.

2010-09-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

May I recommend this site...Spoonflower.com? Have you ever thought about taking one of your designs and having it made into a yard of fabric? Plus they have contests and they give terrific prizes like free fat quarters!! Visit them. You won't be sorry!!!!!

This is one design that is available. Isn't it the cutest?

August Brings Grandchildren! What a treat!!!

2010-09-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

Jessie (left), age 9, Nikki (center), age 23, and Jacob (right), age 12. Our grandchildren came to visit us a few weeks ago and what fun we had.

We went to an amazing exhibit at the Springfield Quadrangle Museum featuring LEGOS. Take a look at this...

So creative and life-size Lego sculptures -- amazing!
I can't look at Legos without thinking about these! Nathan Sawaya is a genius. If you are in the Springfield, Mass area, you must check him out.

And of course, while you are there, sit with Dr. Suess and the Cat in the Hat!

Jacob was having a great time!
What is August without a day at "Six Flags"...we had a blast!

Love to make these!

2010-08-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

I've finally found a way to use all my finds at the flea market...crystals, ephemera, German scraps, vintage netting, vintage flowers, maps! Even a dentist mirror. You'll never guess what they are made out of...toilet paper roll. By sewing the bottom of the roll you end up with a pocket of sorts, ready to be decorated with antique and vintage stuff. Gluing and painting and rubber stamping...you name it...I've done it. There's only one problem....when you run out of TP rolls, you have to wait until another comes along before you can create! I'm at that point, right now.

Bummed out all day until now!

2010-08-16T13:31:00.001-07:00

I've been bummed out all day! Couldn't focus on work! Then it rained! Then it poured! I closed all the windows but not before everything got wet. Then I said to myself..."you have to get that job done" so I came up to my office. Then the door opened. Burt had a box that came in the mail. Before I even saw who it was from...I knew! I knew because yesterday I bought something for my friend Sheila's mother, Lorna. I was thinking about both of them. Well, I just opened it and I'm so happy. Such clever women! They made the cutest flowers out of old muffin tins that I sent them some months ago. And they are displayed in a flower "box"...which I absolutely love. I'm so happy. Thank you Sheila. Thank you Lorna....and one of these days we will be sitting together doing a "happy craft" together. The antique bottle of glitter sitting in front of your flower box has ribbons that you sent me wrapped around the neck.

Okay, now I really have to get back to work. But now I feel like it! Thanks again. You are the best!

Judy

1903 Farmer's Almanac with Dolly Head

2010-08-11T15:29:00.000-07:00

Would you believe that the little pocket that my antique doll is in is a toilet paper roll? Well it is! I stitched up the bottom of the roll; painted it, glued antique Farmer's Almanac graphics, added some mother of pearl buttons, set my sweet little "found in the earth" doll head (but first I dressed her in an antique lace sleeve from my stash of lace), added a vintage chenille pipe cleaner to hang and voila.....that's all she wrote!

Hope you like her! I do!!!!

Three Generations

2010-07-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

You can discover the most wonderful information on the back of your family photos. My grandmother, pictured above center, always wrote on her photographs. They meant a lot to her. She wrote, Lois Faunneal, 2 years old, on the back of this photo. Lois Faunneal was my mother. I thought her middle name was spelled with one L and only recently discovered the correct spelling. The ghost-like image to the right is my grandmother's mother when she was young.
My mother was born on May 15, 1922. My grandmother never talked about Cates, Indiana where she lived as a child. This, too, I just discovered. Collage is a great way to preserve family memories. 4" x 6" on masonite board. judy kahooti 2010

2010-07-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Estate Sale - 10-5 Saturday & Sunday. Burt said, "Did you see the sign?" I said, "Of Course!" There were several other tag sales in my neighborhood that began a little earlier so I stopped at those first. I managed to get to the estate sale about 9:50. It was odd that there wasn't a string of parked cars waiting for the house to open. But instead, there were some items on the driveway and no one in sight. I decided to stop. After looking around for a few minutes an older woman, dressed in a fourth of July outfit came out and said "Hello" in a big voice. She looked like my grandmother did in the 60's. Her name was Donna.She was from Asheville, NC; a real estate broker, had a charter fishing boat in the virgin islands for 9 years and she loved to spend her days making homemade preserves. My grandmother spent a lot of her time making preserves! Her name was Bernice. Donna also loves to make jewelry and of course I told her I had owned a bead store in Chicago in the early 70's. I noticed some mercury glass bead garland on the blanket. How much are these? I said. "Make me an offer!" Well, how about $1.00. She said fine. Then I noticed two more on another display that she had. "I'll take these, too" I couldn't take my eyes off the peach preserves that she had just made. They were still warm. "I don't suppose you make your preserves without sugar!" "I can and I will make you some!" After a short discussion we are going to trade preserves for beads. As I was walking to my car she yelled, "Do you like Tomato Jam?" I nearly flipped out....how did she know that was my all-time favorite and you can't find it in any supermarket. My grandmother made it in the summer back in Indiana.

We said our goodby's and decided we were kindred spirits and no doubt will be seeing each other again very soon.
July 3, 2010

Sundays are my favorite days

2010-06-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

I pulled into the parking lot at 7am. Checking out the outside vendors first. Where's Gino? There he is. I'm happy. He always has neat, interesting and weird things for sale. Hidden behind something, I found an old Atlas with great old maps USA and World. "$1.00 please," he said. Then inside because Ed found me outside and said he had some new antique linens I should look at. Sure enough, he had some dandies. My favorite was a tablecloth and napkins with the tinest cross stitch designs in multi colors. It's beautiful and in perfect condition. It will go on ebay this week. But then, hallelujah. There was two boxes of antique lace that has been sitting in a booth (closed - no one knew where the guy was!) And I've been admiring this lace, from a distance for at least 3 months. Well, today I was in a booth and off to the side was .... two boxes of antique lace. It looked like the same 2 boxes that I've been looking lusting over. IT WAS! I bought them. I spent all day yesterday soaking, washing by hand, ironing and admiring all the pieces of lace. Mid 1800's I would guess. Outstanding. pure heaven.

Lunch with a Friend in Paradise

2010-06-08T16:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was invited to Mina's home in North Amherst. When I pulled into her driveway I knew that it was going to be a special day. Gardens everywhere. Flowers, vegetables, bird feeders, fountains. The view was spectacular. The weather was perfect. 68 degrees with a cool breeze. We drank some wine, enjoyed crab cakes, sliced tomatoes with fresh basil, shrimp, and olives. Chips and dip from Whole Foods. Yummy! We talked. Laughed. The afternoon flew by. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. The photo was inspired by the white glass vase and fresh flowers from her garden. I added my antique MOP buttons, a red bird, some bird eggs, music and a hand-written envelope. It was my thank you card to Mina.

Another exciting collage project!

2010-06-07T04:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my flea market finds end up on my drawing table in my studio. They lay among the paint, rubber stamps, sheet music, old photos and other stuff. This beautiful mother of pearl cake server was one of those finds. It kept popping up. I didn't know why it was there among my art stuff. But then, a light bulb moment....I'll collage it! And now it's hanging on my kitchen wall. Hope you like it!

A little lost girl

2010-05-31T08:28:00.001-07:00

It all began with a piece of watercolor paper and a small photograph of a little girl. She looked lost to me. So many layers later...using inks, acrylic paint, zig zag on my sewing machine and rubber stamps....she's not lost anymore. She found a place next to me.

Saturday Afternoons - Craft Time!

2010-05-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

Taking a small 6" x 6" x 1" book and gluing all the pages together - then cutting a rectangle on the top page so I could insert an antique brass frame with an old photo...once the inside was completed, it sat in my studio for days. The ideas just weren't coming. It usually takes a graphic paper that gets me started and that's what happened this afternoon. Then a ripped piece of music, a French page from an old book and I was ready to do the cover. When I found a card that my friend Sheila sent me, I knew "this was it!" The roses and the Eiffel Tower became my focal point. Then a little ink from several ink pads; some calico checks. The inside is very simple.

Daisy Bell was born.

Looking to get charmed???

2010-04-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

My friend Angela has the most unbelievable collection of enamel charms from every country! And she sells them on ebay and on her own website, echarmony.com/store

Check it out! Make yourself a travel bracelet. Mine would have St. Thomas, Italy, England, Spain, Haiti, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, New Yoek, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and Arizona charms on it. Gees, I better get started!

Found on an outdoor table at the Flea Market!

2010-04-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a sweet little felted wool - handmade - pin cushion. For me, finding two pin cushions on one Sunday morning is lucky. And that's what happened. The other was purchased by pickers in New Hampshire. They knock on people's doors - ask them if they have anything they would like to sell -- and that's how I got the antique strawberry pin cushion below. It's fantastic.Drop by the Pioneer Valley Flea Market, Route 5 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Every Sunday from 7am-4pm. You're sure to find some goodies!

Flea Market Fun!

2010-04-25T17:38:00.002-07:00

Good Shopping Day Today! Silk Toile in black and white. French silk and very graphic. Love this design. It's on Ebay!

1800's antique quilt -- oh my!

2010-04-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday mornings don't get much better than this. Up at 6am and walking through the rows of dealers at the Route 47 Flea Market in Hadley, MA -- and there it was all folded up just waiting for me. This fabulous graphic handmade antique quilt probably dates to 1830's-1840's. The fabrics are so unique. Oh sure, it isn't perfect but at this age what is. I may do the repairs myself or just sell it on ebay as is. Someone is sure to love it.

Great find at the flea market! Vintage flowers!!!

2010-03-29T09:21:00.001-07:00

I only had an hour to shop at the local flea market yesterday. It's amazing how many wonderful things one can find in just an hour. The box of vintage corsages and silk flowers was the best. I love the box that they came in (it was just a great box with a transparent lid) but the flowers looked intriguing through that cellophane. Go to my ebay and check it out. Also, a fabulous pair of antique eye glasses, an antique folding ruler, a gorgeous Italian runner and three packages of papier mache mix. You never know when you are going to need papier mache mix, right?

It's been a while...

2010-03-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Traveled to Chicago March 5-9. Lily Novak (center front) and her proud parents, Joe and Marylou (far left, far right) threw the most fabulous party with family and friends. Lily celebrated her bat mitzvah and she was the toast of the town. And it was her Dad's 50th birthday as well. Margie (center back) came from Savannah. We stayed with Lawry (wearing his White Sox jacket) and Carole (not pictured) -- in their new fabulous condo in downtown Highland Park, north of the city. What fun! Caryn Burstein (second from left) had some wonderful news. More on that later. Then on Sunday I dropped Margie off at O'Hare and drove to Plainfield, Illinois to see my brother Doug and his wonderful family. Had a great time at a nearby authentic Mexican restaurant and Monday night is mariachi band night -- they were great!

So what's with the Henderson's roses you ask? My friend Kathleen, my flea market buddy, let me borrow the collection of vintage flower prints she found and I scanned every last one of them into my computer. Hoping to use them in some digital artwork. They are all so beautiful. Stay tuned!!!

The Traveling Salesman

2009-12-06T19:18:00.001-08:00

What does canary bird seed, pianos, stamps and The Daily News have in common? Damned if I know...but I like the way they look when they are placed side by side in this collage. Enjoy!

The flea market brought many neat things for future mixed media projects...a 16-cup vintage baking tin; a broken clown head; a vintage children's circus book; lots of playbills from NYC shows, Springfield, MA shows, all from the late 30's and early 40's; a fabulous mini awl with a wonderful wooden handle; pair of antique glasses; mini salt and pepper shaped like tea pots; another blue tin; and much more. Books were free today and I couldn't get enough.

Meet Alice....she's on a 4" x 6" masonite board.

When Art Comes In the Mail

2009-10-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

It's magical! My wonderful friend, Sheila Carpenter, the most creative folk artist in the world, has created a wonderful assemblage. This was a challenge for both of us....using old cigarette paper covers, a find at Brimfield. I sent her a little box using the cigarette paper covers and yesterday I received this from her....isn't it wonderful? What fun! I just love it. Thanks, Sheila!
It now hangs on my wall in my office. I just love the way you made her clothes out of the papers. A-dorable!

Here is a side view showing the raggedy silk ribbon wrapping around the well-designed cigar box with a great antique button at the top.
I'm so lucky to have met Sheila. What fun to swap art. It's a blast!!!

My Way To Display Antique Lace ---

2009-10-20T17:52:00.001-07:00

I whipped this up this afternoon while I was waiting for my husband to fix my "dead" computer. The computer is fixed "he is a genius" and the only bad thing is I have to go back to work.
I'm put this up on ebay to see if there is any interest for old antique lace, displayed with a beautiful floral pattern and all you need to do it drop it into an 8" x 10" frame. It's for those people who just can't get enough lace in their life. Like "me" for instance.
A judy kahooti original! Go to ebay, seller judykahooti and bid! Get yourself a one-of-a-kind lace sampler.

Oh No...Another Spinner!

2009-10-20T17:46:00.001-07:00

Do I want to Relax or Splurge or Work or Create or Sing or Snack or Prosper? I just spin my little spinner and see where it lands. The fine rick rack (old antique handmade piece) is running around the covered Anheuser Busch Cork Coaster. The back has an old antique look to it.

Now you can see the very fine rick rack glued on to the bottom edge. These take about 45 minutes to make, love, love spinners. Do You?

2009-10-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

Creating Something from Nothing! I had this old ugly hand mirror, made of wood, painted a cream color and it was not nice to look at. I almost threw it away several times but something told me to hold on to it. Last night, way past bedtime, I got an idea to turn it into a piece of art. Well, what took me so long! I covered it with Italian marble paper, some sheet music, some rubber stamps, a big rose on the back with two gold cherubs I picked up at the flea market last Sunday. I think the cherubs had something to do with this. Believe me, I didn't know what I was going to do with them -- but they found a place to hang out!

The colors are more greens, browns, red and cream. It could hang on the wall or lay flat on my dresser. I used mat gel medium for everything except the cherubs, they were glued down with 6000. So if anyone is out there....let me know what you think!

How to spend 2 hours adding music to my blog...

2009-10-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

Just to find 6 or 7 songs that might be fun to listen to while you are reading over my blog -- did I ever dream it would take me two hours to figure it out? If you want to add music to your blog...just go to playlist.com

It may be easier for some, difficult for others, but it is worth it, don't you think?

Enjoy!
(pictured above is a unique bakelite button on one of my latest totebag creations...go to www.judykahooti.com to see more.

And yet another "spinner"

2009-10-02T11:54:00.001-07:00

I'm in love with "spinners"...they are so much fun to make, maybe because they are only 4" x 4" and can be made in less than an hour! I've used Tim Holtz spinners, available at Michaels; old photos; matte gel medium; paper, Ranger ink pads and a polka dot rubber stamp. Oh, and one more...Pantopaque metallic gold marker. Try one! Once you complete it, you will have to design a game for your game spinner.

Let's Make a Game Board Collage Spinner!

2009-09-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

FUN, FUN, FUN making game board spinners. I began with a 4" x 4" piece of illustration board. I covered the top with a pretty white paper with black flowerst. I cut 7 circles with my 1-inch circle cutter, using paper from my stash. The center is another harlequin paper design. Then I used different colors of ink and with the dabber, dabbed the corners and edges. Then I added the rub-on numbers on each 1-inch circle. Then I went around each number with a white pen. I added white dots to the numbers. And that's it! I did it all with designer papers (text weight) and inks. Oh, then I added the "Tim Holtz" spinner. You might ask why I like to make spinners??? Well, when I'm getting out the cookies, I spin my spinner and where it lands...that's how many cookies I can have! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Birthday presents for Judy

2009-08-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

It's so great to receive birthday presents in the mail from friends. And not all on the same day. And what lovely handmade creative gifts I received from two wonderful artists from the Charlotte, NC area. My dear cousin Dolly made this fabulous card for me....so creative. (above)

And a few days later I received a box from Sheila Carpenter. Thanks Sheila for your fabulous package filled with some of my favorite things....an antique doll yoyo quilt (oh my!), a box fashioned with "the doll leg" (and I have a surprise for you) and her box is filled with sweet ribbons and things; but the gift that made my jaw drop open was the "Domestic Art" junior high school handmade journal from Sioux City Public Schools, Iowa from the 30's. This just blew me away. See the photos below. How-to embroider...

How to make a facing -- collar pictured here.

And here is the cover -- Complete written directions are inside. A very special journal of a young girls sewing techniques.

You both will receive proper thank you notes in the mail. Sixty-seven is not such a bad number! Thank you so much for thinking of me...can you hear me ooing and ahhing over these!

Samuel McCoy, The Askingest Boy

2009-08-19T09:59:00.001-07:00

Well, we did it! Burt and I wrote and illustrated a book together.

And speech therapists LOVE our book. It's a great book to read aloud.

Samuel McCoy is a little boy who loves to ask lots of questions about animals, but the thing is - he asks them in rhyme! To get some relief from the constant rhyming questions his family takes him to the zoo, where he meets a red kangaroo who acts as his guide and can talk to Samuel, also in rhyme! Samuel questions many of the zoo animals but gets no response. His last question is directed to the crocodile,who swims up very close to Samuel with an answer, but Samuel leaps away just in time. The red kangaroo makes Sam realize that his animal questions are "dumb", but that sensible questions asked at home or in school are perfectly fine. "Now their evenings are peaceful and so are their days. Mom, Dad, Sis all love Samuel... he just went through a phase."

Go to Amazon.com, click on books, type in Samuel McCoy, and buy our book. It's 50 pages of fun reading. Suitable for kids from 3-11. $12.95

Flea Market Finds in New England!!!

2009-08-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Not only was the weather absolutely perfect today, but the shopping was even better. I stayed around the Palmer area mostly because I have a small booth in an antique co-op, The Palmer Co-op. There are a few people that I love to buy from. Their prices are reasonable and they bring in just what I'm looking for...vintage kitchen towels, tablecloths and lace. The sailing graphics are really fun! Now someone from Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard would love these.

Western theme is my favorite. Isn't he cute. He'll be on ebay tonight and you will have a week to bid.

Another find were two very pretty English porcelain decorative flowers...handmade. These are really beautiful. They must have been brought to New England by way of England where they were hand made. Lovely!

And here is the other one...a group of handmade porcelain flowers nestled in a wheel barrow. What fun!

Check out my ebay site -- JudyKahooti (seller) and say hello.

Stay tuned!!!!!

Mountain Artist Retreat

2009-07-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while but I've been busy. Painting, Collage, Photography, you name it - I've done it the last few months. But what is exciting is what's coming up this coming week. My best friend Dolly has invited her creative friends to the mountains of North Carolina. We will laugh, cook, and create. How much fun is that? To get ready for one of the challenges that we are creating, I've cut up one of my watercolor paintings to make a grid. They are 1 1/4" square approximately, I just eye-balled it. Now what I do with it once there is another matter. Finding something to cut up is easy. My list is growing as to what I'm going to take with me to play with. This morning I collected (all in my house, now mind you) mother of pearl old buttons, old doll legs and arms, miniature ones, out of porcelain that were dug up in Western Mass so they are probably turn of the century old. Some Moxie bottle caps (very cool) that will be used to make a crown. Crowns are fun and in Somerset Studio Magazine last month, there are some very creative crowns that inspired me.
A fish hook that was caught in a scarf that I bought....try and get a fish hook out of a silk scarf without making a big hole -- well it wasn't easy but I did it.
I'm also taking some bridal photos of the 30's. The folds that they are in are fabulous. This morning I stuck a watercolor of fruit in one to display....very cool. I love checking out the bridges dresses and accessories. And most of their head pieces were very creative.
I've also waxed some old lace and I'll bring that as well. It's a great way to preserve old lace and use it in assemblage and collage. Melt some wax, float your piece of lace and once coated, remove it and let it cool. You can shape it while it is warm but once it has cooled you can't bend it.
So as you can see, this week will be much like collecting at the flea market -- but I will be collecting in my house for things to bring with me to the Carolinas.
I will post photos of our projects, and the new friends that I have met and a picture of Dolly and me.

New Creative Switchplate Covers

2009-04-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Today the painter began painting my kitchen. I selected two colors for my walls. Two shades of banana - light and medium.

Once the switchplate covers were removed from the walls, I decided to get creative and paint and stamp them. They are like little paintings. What seemed to work the best was transparent inks that come in little bottles. The ink takes to the plastic switchplate like a duck to water. And when you squirt a different color ink onto an ink that is still wet you get a wonderful abstract thing going on.

Now this idea is not my idea and I must give credit where credit is due. When my little neighbor friend, Sonny Farnsworth, was in summer camp about the age of 10, she made me some black and white switchplate covers, checkerboard (because my kitchen floor is black and white, white cabinet and black granite counters) and they have been on my back splash for at least 8 years. And they still look fantastic. I think she used black acrylic paint and just free hand, painted black squares and left the white switchplate exposed in some areas. Sonny was the most creative little girl and still is (she's in college in NYC) So thank you Sonny for the idea. I wouldn't have thought of it on my own.

Vintage Curtain Tacks -- A Must Have!

2009-03-14T12:27:00.001-07:00

Whenever I'm out shopping tag sales and flea markets I'm always looking for these painted metal curtain tacks. They are so charming. I don't use them for that purpose -- I have always wanted a wall-sized bulletin board and guess what I would stick my important notes up with? You guessed it!!! These are so cool. I'm sending them to my ebay site today so you can buy these for your creative bulletin board. Cheers, Judy

Vintage Hair Ornaments for sale on Ebay this week

2009-03-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

Last September I found a bag of handmade antique/vintage hair ornaments. It was an exciting moment. Each one is different and more delightful than the next. Silk fabrics scrunched together with beads and trim added. All are attached to a hairpin...remember these? I'm putting a bunch on ebay today -- check 'em out! These would be fun and easy to make with vintage trims and beads.

Enjoying Amherst College Mead Art Museum for the first time!

2009-03-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

My friend, Thelma and I discovered the Mead Art Museum on the campus of Amherst College today. We've lived in this area for many years and this is the first time we visited the museum. It was fabulous. A painting by Georgia O'Keefe, a Rubens, portraits of Charles Lindburgh and his wife, Andrew Wyeth with his magical curtains blowing in the wind, to mention a few.
Pictured: FINE ART Salome, Painting by Henri, Robert 1909, Oil on canvas, American (1865-1929) Canvas: 77 1/4 in x 36 15/16 in; 196.215 cm x 93.8213 cm

We spent an hour looking at fine art, sculpture and a video by William Barnet. I liked his Dream sequence paintings and we watched a video with Barnet narrating. Then off to a new restaurant in downtown Amherst, Mango Mango! I enjoyed my panini with roast beef but the pork chop sandwich was a little dry. But we would definitely try it again.

Spices and Herbs Arriving Soon!

2009-03-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to clean out our spice cabinet for a long time -- some of the jars and bags have been in there since 1970! EEK!

Our wonderful neighbors, Deb and Andy, gave us a gift certificate to an online store called Smith and Truslow. I love their website and it was difficult deciding which assortment to buy because they all sounded so delicious. But I went with "Italian Riviera" and I can't wait until they arrive.
Thanks Deb and Andy!

Displayed 31 artist pages in book format!

2009-03-09T13:07:00.001-07:00

Hey there!
A small group of artists in Charlotte (began as a meet-up) met in March to see all the pages that were created for a book. I was lucky enough to be asked by my cousin, Dolly (who is part of the group) to contribute a page (well, actually it was 31 pages) so they could make one book to auction off through Ebay for charity and we each were to receive one. Pam, a wonderful artist, had the idea and hosted the Sunday get-together so we could all come together and actually take the pages and put them together and meet all the participating artists. And what a group of fabulous artists! Now once it was completed and I got home, I said to myself, "how do I display it!" After giving this a lot of thought (I just didn't want to lay it on the table because it didn't do it justice.) So -- in my sewing room I found tucked away in the corner an old jewelry display stand about 12 inches tall. It had four little "L" shaped brackets which I unscrewed and discarded. Well, I saved them in my junk drawer (I can't seem to throw away anything, anymore!) The pole part was not glued into the base -- which turned out to be a good thing. Because I just put the pole through the center of the book, stuck it into the base and voila! It is now proudly displayed in my foyer/art gallery space. Thought you'd like to know! :)

Judy