Calling all ART_able folks...need some ADVICE!
#142067 - 01/24/05 03:32 PM
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Hi y'all!
Ok...I need your HELP!
I sing. And I love it. I write. But with the fibro my throat often hurts too much to sing. And I'm having a case of writer's block. Besides, I LOVE art and crafts!
I NEED to be creative. Can't live without it! Do you think I could learn how to knit? Is it hard? I can't draw (at least not so far. I don't believe in CAN'T...I just don't know how yet!) 
Also, what exactly is collage and how do you do it? Casey, you mentioned it before. And I went to an art store...no books on collage! 
SO...I'm counting on y'all!
If you have any ideas for me, I'd be forever greatful!
With love and HOPE  
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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It's sooooo good to see you back on here again.  And so good to see you wanting to get into creative mode!
I just found a whole bunch of websites that should help as a starting point for collage:
http://www.collageart.org/
http://fl.essortment.com/collageart_rjhk.htm
http://www.creativity-portal.com/howto/artscrafts/collage.html
http://www.warpart.co.nz/
The great thing about collage is that there really are no rules... you're only limited by your imagination.
If you want to learn how to draw, an EXCELLENT book is "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. Truly excellent, really.
As for learning how to knit... it's hard to say if you'll be able to teach yourself or not. I'm *mostly* self-taught - a friend taught me how to cast on, and I figured out the rest on my own. A good place to start to get an idea of how involved it is would be http://www.lionbrand.com - on the top of the page, click the "learn to knit" link. There's a series of tutorials that teach you everything you need to know, with really clear illustrations.
Hope that helps a little, sweetie!
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you can teach yourself either or both but it is easier to get someone else to teach you. most good yarn shops have beginner classes... or someone to help.. good books for intro to knittin: the dummies guide to knitting, and Maggie Righetti's knitting in plain english (she also has one for crochet).
if you have an adult ed program that has art classes- take some... learn to paint, or draw... or sculpt... even just playing with clay can be a wonderful experience...
I'm glad to see you posting again, was wondering how you were doing since it had been a long time since I'd heard from you.
Amie
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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...Wish you could sing.
I have a singer with fibromyalgia in the community choir that I direct; I have been glad to make some provisions so that she can participate. Seems to me you might find such a group in your area with a director who has that much compassion and interest in making it so you could participate.
Not holding myself up as some sort of paragon of compassion, just saying that the arts are for all of us, whatever-abled we are, and it's to be hoped that you could find such a group. I encourage you, if you feel up to it, to look for one.
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Ooohh art! I love it!!! Try painting. Just go to an art store and get a basic kit of paints (get acrylic as oils are a bit hard and quite stinky!). Get 2-3 brushes, a palette, and some canvas paper or a stretched canvas if you'd prefer).
Do abstract if you want. It doesn't have to be anything realistic. Here's a painting I did and it's now in my dining room.
http://tinypic.com/1g18bc
It was easy. Just use low-tac tape and divide a canvas into 4 sections. Paint them in different colours. The images are scanned from design magazines and then pasted on with collage glue. I did it at a friend's place in 2 hours and I love it! She did one too using scanned B&W images from her trip to Europe.
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Hey can you send one of those down to NY. That would look good on my wall Tina... You for hire?
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Neat!
#142115 - 01/24/05 04:50 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I *really* like that... we desperately need some things for our walls, I think I might steal that idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Ruchie!!! I am so glad to see you!!!
You could try scrap booking, or jewlery making,or stenicling!!!
So glad you are feeling up to being creative!!! LOTS of LOVE!!!!
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Heather7476
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Sure, be my guest!
You're a photographer so it would be cool if you could use some of your great pics!
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Tina!! That is so COOL!!! I keep forgetting your name is Tina and not Sara!! Sorry!!! 
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Heather7476
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Ha ha. I need to do more.
Here's a painting that my friend did for me. It's supposed to be a portrait of me. (It doesn't look like me! Silly her!) She's REALLY good (if you like this style of painting. She sells her stuff for $700 each but gave me a huge deal. Wow, huh! She's gay and only paints women, always with tattoos and wild hair. Mostly ex-GF's which is funny as she paints them mostly topless so I feel like I've seen a lot of them naked. 
http://tinypic.com/1g1y79
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Wow, she is really talented. That is an interesting take on you. Maybe that is supposed to be Evil Tina... I like the Good Tina much better
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Ya, I think it's the Tina she wanted to see. She hit on me a lot but I didn't give in.
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Well, at least she has good taste in the women she hits on...
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Oh you!
Ok, I'm geting off these boards for the night.
Bye!
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Good to see ya back Ruchie !
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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I was thinking about you earlier today. I sure have missed you. It's good to hear from you. How are you doing? Sorry, but I'm not an artsy, craftsy person so I can't help you there. I'm sure someone else will have some suggestions.
But I'm so glad you back---and that you're ok. I've been worried about you.
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A friend who paints. I actually like that style, and while it doesn't look a whole lot like you realistically, I still think it's really neat... and pretty damn cool that someone painted a picture of you!
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Re: Neat!
#142159 - 01/24/05 06:06 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I like that idea. I have a small "portfolio" of Maine pictures that I've taken over the past year or so, and I've been trying to figure out how to frame them - my digital camera isn't that great, so the prints have to be no bigger than 5x7 apiece, which wouldn't be so great on a big empty white wall. This idea would be perfect, though!
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How about sewing? I sometimes (less these days as I have so many chores) make little handbags. You can use scraps of material - haberdashers sell offcuts for very little money - and I hand sewed mine for ages, although a sewing machine does make the boring bits quicker! You can embroider them, sew beads, sequins on them, whatever.
Have fun with whatever you decide to do! My crafty-ness is being "spent" on diy. Yesterday I stained our back fence green!
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Yes, if you do it, you'll have to share the end result with us. I'd love to see it.
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Doesn't look like me at all. She uses herself as a model and it looks like her.
She has those star tattoos in that exact spot.
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Hello!!!
I was a bit worried about you because you were quite down last time I read one of your posts. Personally for me I have found needlepoint to be brilliant. There are some really funky designs out there (great for cushions for little nieces and nephews). Plus it is easy to do, very satisfying and great for turning your mind off if you are having a panic moment. You can also do it when you are really tired. On the knitting side - I started and as long as you don't mind creating things with holes in when you first start you should be OK!! I bought some really thick chunky wool and big needles and am making a dog blanket. The advantage to this is that the thick wool means you get an instant result - and the dog won't mind if it is a bit lopsided!
How is your dog? I am getting a puppy on saterday and have been having great fun buying all the toys, beds etc. It's a really scary prospect as I have never had a dog before - and a huge responsibility, but I can't wait. Any tips would be gratefully recieved!
Have fun with your crafts.
Catherine
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Oh Heather, no problem. Call me Tina, SS, Sara, Sara-Sage --they're all good.
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Hi y'all!
Thanks for all the links! Knitting looks complicated. I'm thinking of looking into classes for beginners. I'll have to see how much they cost. For now...I'm working on drawing (I sketched the alarm clock last night...I'm actually not as bad at drawing as I thought...hubby taught me a technique). I'm also gonna do some stencil painting and abstract stuff. I am doing this theme thing for Purim, a Jewish holiday, called "growth". I bought 35 paper bags in hot pink and I'm gonna buy the grass stuff to put at the bottom. Food will also go in the bag...nuts, seeds, fruits, etc. I want to paint flowers and water cans on the outside of the bags. I have flowers in mind and I bought stencils in case the free hand painting doesn't look the way I want. And I plan to search on-line to find watering cans I can use to paint small ones on the bag. I'm really excited about this!
Please keep the suggestions coming! Casey, I haven't gotten to look at the collage links yet...just the knitting ones. I'll keep you posted. Tina...what an AWESOME painting for your wall! I wonder if I could make something so AWESOME?! Ptillen--I can't sing cause my throat hurts! It's part of my fibro symptoms. It's not that someone is telling me I can't sing.....I think it's great you are helping out your fibro friend in choir. You're a gem!
Ok...off to read more in this thread. Thanks so much for all the responses!
Love ya!
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Well, sweetie, I taught myself how to knit in 1960. Been doin' it ever since.
It's a helluva lot of fun, very, VERY soothing to the soul. Everyone gets a sweater from me every Christmas. I'm already working on one for Barbie (but don't tell her!). I'd be glad to help you out, sweetie, but you won't need it. Just get yourself a knitting magazine at any grocery store or craft shop, and get yourself a ball of inexpensive yarn at the same craft shop, and play with it, following the instructions in the magazine. You'll teach yourself in no time.
How do you feel about taking classes? I LOVE THEM! I took pottery and stained glass, knitting (they were worthless, though!), crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch classes. I stuck with the stained glass and the needlepoint, which were my faves (although pottery is a LOT of fun). Look in your local college directory of adult education classes; they're inexpensive but very good.
If you want any help at all with that knitting, you have my e-mail address.
Let us know what you come up with, cutie-pie!
{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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BEV!
I need your e-mail addy. Want to mail it to me?
Thanks for responding! How's life treating you?
So GREAT to see you again ****hugs****
Love ya!
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Hey, are we gonna knit together? Oh boy!
Here I am: RowHard@comcast.net
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Of course you can do an cool abstract painting!
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Tina...
#142548 - 01/25/05 01:17 PM
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You're so encouraging, thanks! *hugs*
Ya know...when I met hubby I couldn't draw. I didn't believe in myself! BUT being married to him and having all of you in my life...something is changing in me. The other night he showed me this thing where you use a pencil to figure out how close/far the dimensions you want to draw are. It was INCREDIBLE! As a kid...I was discouraged from being artistic. So sad! BUT I'm really into it now. And I think the more I let go of my past and live in today, the more the real ME comes out. It's awesome!
Keep letting me know you think I can do it...it means the world to me ((Tina))
Maybe I really CAN do it! I'm starting to think I can!
Woohoo!
Love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie!
#142610 - 01/25/05 02:38 PM
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I think every single person has the ability to be creative. they just need to try. I suck at drawing so I much prefer abstract painting so nothing has to look realistic.
Of course you can do it Ruchie!!! Just try whatever inspires you the most. I find I produce nicer things if I'm inspired.
I also think that art is a great stress reliever and emotional release (just like music). You can be in your own little dream world. It can give you more self-confidence when you amaze yourself with what you've produced!
Big hugs right back at ya!
Go get 'em!!!! 
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Casey!
#142724 - 01/25/05 07:51 PM
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I had no IDEA what you can do with collage art! I was thinking little kid stuff like I did in grade school...but what's out there is QUITE impressive!
Wow...now I have art coming out of my ears! LOL It's great! I am hoping to go to the store tom. to buy knitting stuff (Bevrs said she's gonna teach me!), and I bought paints and stencils today to get started on a holiday project...and now I have ideas for collage too! When it rains, it POURS! LOL
I was looking at your site yesterday...is the stuff there for sale? If it is...I gotta get a pair of your mittens/hat...they're fantastic!
How did you get into art?
I'm so psyched! Thanks again for getting me started with a post you wrote a ways back...that you believe anyone can do art and we all have a creative side waiting to bloom!
Love ya! *hugs*
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Hi Ruchie!
#142731 - 01/25/05 08:17 PM
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Sheri01
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 1731
Loc: New Jersey
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No advice, just wanted to say 'hi'!
Love to see ya back around... and it makes me happy that you sound so happy and your bouncy self is back! You are a new Ruch since you last came around
glad to see you are feeling up to being involved in things!
Don't let us go so long with out an update next time, ok? There are some of us that get worried about ya
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-Sheri
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((Sheri))
Thanks! It was tough for me there for a while. Had to get back to myself! I'm VERY thankful that I'm ok. For WEEKS I was in bed and couldn't do much. I'm truly thankful that I got past that flare and that I am able to LIVE again!!!
How are you doing? *hugs* Hope great!
With love,
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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It's great to see your smile back on the boards. I've been missing it and you sound like despite everything you're doing okay. Hobbies are always handy. I don't have a whole heap of ideas (I'm grateful if I get to read more than a single sentence in a book these days) but before I had the twins I used to love to cross stitch and intially you can start with patterns then as you get better you can pretty much make your own patterns. Anyway. Glad to see you back. See you around the boards.
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Amy
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Ruchie!
#142793 - 01/26/05 06:15 AM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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Aww... you're welcome! I wouldn't have said such a thing if I didn't believe it. I've watched friends of mine who swore they were never creative learn how to knit, or arrange flowers, or do ceramics, and it's always the coolest thing to me to see people get in touch with their inner artiste.
Collage art is quite the creative thing! I wasn't sure how in-depth you wanted to try to get with it, but like I mentioned, it's limited only by your imagination - you can make a statement, or make gradeschool art, it's all up to you. For a while, when I felt like my creativity needed a boost, I even journalled as a collage - I had a notebook and a glue stick, and I'd put together one-page collages for how I felt that day. A few words, but mostly pictures. It's a good creative exercise, I think.
I've always been into art. I think I was born with a pencil in my hand. My mother still has drawings that I did when I was 2 or 3, and they're surprisingly good for my age at the time. Both of my parents are creative - my father was a fine woodworker by trade for 30something years, my mother knits, crochets, sews, does embroidery of all kinds, and does a lot of decorating-type-things. I learned how to do all of that by the time I was 7... well, except the knitting and crochet, which I didn't learn till my 20's.
I will eventually have stuff for sale on the site. Right now I'm kind of focusing on technique and practicing my knitting, so that I can turn out things that are consistently good... I'll definitely have stuff up for sale by spring. If you're seriously interested in a hat/mittens set, email me - the mittens were SO much fun to make, I would definitely make you a pair, and I'll give you a "friend discount".
*big hugs* Love ya too! Have fun creating!!
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