Photo frames

I used some canvas photo frames you can purchase at any craft stores. Use a little imagination... a little bit of this...a little bit of that... and you have a wonderful way to display your photos or to use as a gift for that person that has everything.

Keepsake of children's art work

I did this for a lady who wanted to frame her 2 year old daughter's art work but make it look nice enough to add to her elegat walls.. Of course all she ave me was a large stack of doodles and scribbles... not worth framing. So I cut small squares out of the said "art work" , laid them out in a mosaic pattern. I tore some pieces to use as a frame.

Old lamp, new lamp

I love giving things a second chance.... hence my blog's name... Altered States. I found this very cool lamp that had a very nice shape to it... but no appeal. I painted the base with Lumiere paint. I covered the shade with mulberry paper. I glued the fringe bead et voila. It look great lite up in the dark.

Memory Quilt

I have created this quilt for my youngest daughter. She loves bright color and she so full of energy I wanted to capture her vivacity. The lighter squares are collages of favorite photos: parents, siblings, school, friends, pets, sports... all the things she loves.

She is in college and yes... she sleeps with it and travels with it. ;-)

Free Style beading

I have been having fun creating and selling jelwery. It is much cheaper than therapy. Here are a few samples

Yesterday I had the priviledge to help teach defensive tactics to the BCA. It has been awesome to help them learn skillz that could save their lives or the lives of others.
The second gentleman on the left (Kasey Keckeisen) is the brain and brawn of the operation.

Give me wings and watch me fly

Today is beyond cold. Good day to be inside a warm house. I am very grateful to not be a homeless person.
For most every things in my life I like to rely on "Divine Inspiration". Call it as you may, intuition, 6th sense, plain inspiration, I like to think of it as pooling my resources from an endless supply of greatness.
This particular collage came to me as a dream, so strong it was I had to get up in the middle of the night and take notes. When I created it, it was as if I was watching someone manipulate my hands. The first art show I displayed it in, a distinguished gentleman came by and just stared at it for at least 10-15 minutes. Without speaking a word, he left and came back a few minutes later dragging his wife behind him. She was none too pleased to be dragged like so, but she came to a screeching halt in front of the collage. She started to cry and then she left. I just had to know. So I went to speak to the gentleman in question. This is what he told me... "We had an only son. He was a lepidopterist and also a strong christian. He contracted cancer and died a few months ago. On his death bed he told my wife and I: "I love you both. You gave me wings now watch me fly". This is like a message from him telling us that he is OK."... Yes I cried with him and I was grateful to have listened to that inner voice. We never know who the message really is for but we should never be afraid to listen and share. We are the tools God uses.