Happy New Year Everyone & Studio Madness!

GREETINGS & SALUTATIONS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL FROM STUDIO!

THANK YOU ALL FOR A FABULOUS 2009 & LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010!

I hope you all had a wonderful, happy, and safe Christmas! It's hard to believe that it's over and we are heading into 2010 shortly! As we gather our thoughts and writing down our "New Year's Resolutions"... (please, I'm lucky if I commit to one of them, but I do try!!! HAHAHA). However, for those of you out there in blog land, make a commitment to start an "Art Journal." You will never regret it and you will find such peace and freedom in this art form. I have only been doing Art Journaling for a very short time, and it's really helped me with ideas and my sketching. It has also given me the freedom to do whatever I want. Over Christmas break I continued working on my Art Journals and here is a sneak at some of my pages. Now, mind you, an Art Journal you don't have to finish it in one sitting...some of these pages I work on for months...that is the beauty of the Art Journal...there is no AGENDA! It's just you and your Art Journal...Try it, I promise you that you will always continue on this path!

This Darn Page is Sideways...arrrrghhhh!

Pop in a movie while you are working on your Art Journal...Remember, it's just you having fun!

One of my Art Journals. I have several going all at once! WHOOOHOOO

More Sketches
Grab yourself some Adirondack Color Wash Sprays...These things are freaking AWESOME!

Cut-up paper towels and use gel medium...Look at how much fun you can have with a PAPER TOWEL!

This is the Journal Page I did for "Create and Pass the Journal" over at "Art From the Heart!
My Angel Page from the workshop I'm taking over at SuziBlu.ning.com

This piece that I'm working on is from Angel Workshop with Suzi Blu. I am having loads of fun with this. She isn't done, but she is getting closer to being completed.

Still working on this piece. I keep switching her colors. By doing so, it's creating really cool layers and textures.

A Basket Full of "Works in Progress." It takes time considering all of the layers of paint these little suckers require! LOL

Got my little girl ornies done! I think they came out really well! These are addicting to make!

My little "Gothic Annies" are all most done. Just need to add some clothes and hair!

Now for some new "Art Book." It's so nice getting new books. It's better than buying chocolate! LOL Well, I might not go that far!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL, HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR! ALWAYS HAVE ART IN YOUR HEART AND KNOW THAT YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD!

UNTIL NEXT TIME

CHEERS!

Artistic Darla Is The Winner and Studio Madness!

GREETINGS & SALUTATIONS

First of, thank you all for participating in my Blog Giveaway, and don't worry if you didn't win this time. I will be having a few more Blog Giveaways in January. Don't forget about the MAJOR BLOG GIVEAWAY From ONE WORLD ONE HEART BLOG EVENT...Click Sidebar Badge for Details. I believe it's starting sometime in January. Last year I participated and it was massive. It took a good month to get through every one's blogs. LOL

OKAY...now for the Winner...the Magical Hat picked ARTISTIC DARLA! Congrats Darla on winning the "Bottle of Believe" and just in time for the Holidays! May she always keep you believing! Cheers my Friend!

I haven working like a mad woman trying to get some Holiday Art Dolls finished to take some of the local shops here in Pennsylvania...here are some that have been dropped off ... I actually wanted to keep them all! LOL

My Studio is a MESS, but I'm working away to get some more Gossip Girls completed before Christmas...these little girls take so much time, but I love creating them. Look for some new ones over at my Website come Mid January 2010

Lots of arms and legs!

Some New Art Dolls for DAG...Creepy Goth Girls

I'm taking a workshop over at Gritty Jane on creating Clay Folk Art Movable Art Dolls. I'm having fun making these!

Here they are...aren't they just so much fun. My new ones you will be able to hang them on the wall or have them sitting! Watch for these new gals over at my new Website!
I WISH ALL OF YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I WILL BE BUSY IN THE STUDIO COMPLETING MORE ART DOLLS AND WORKING ON MY PAINTINGS, SKETCHES AND OF COURSE...MY JOURNALS.

ENJOY, BE SAFE AND ALWAYS REMEMBER TO GIGGLE.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

CHEERS!

***It's A Blog Giveaway...Happy Holidays***

GREETINGS & SALUTATIONS

It's time for Blog Giveaway here at the STUDIO...so make sure you enter to WIN!

***A BOTTLE OF BELIEVE***With the Music in the Air, the Pumpkin Rolls being baked (by the way, my Sister-In-Law makes the worlds greatest Pumpkin Rolls), Christmas Cookies getting decorated, People singing while Decorating their Trees, the Egg Nog flowing (you should try my Egg Nog...it will make you giggle for days! LOL), and the warmth in our hearts (wouldn't it be great if the world had Christmas in their hearts 365 days of the year?), My Christmas Wish for all of you ... is to be Happy, Create Art, and always remember to GIGGLE...it helps when things seem overwhelming!

I will be collecting all of your comments, and the Magic Hat will be picking the Winner Thursday, December 17, 2009.

Good Luck to you all, and a BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT and the many laughs you all have given me over the past year!

Until Next Time...CHEERS!

Snow, Movies, Studio Time, New Website, and Breathing

GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW...I know a lot of us are getting hit with SNOW, and I'm so loving it! We took these pictures on December 5th...The First Snow of 2009! LOL

The forecast this weekend is SNOW, SNOW, SNOW, SNOW! WHOOOOOHOOOOOOO

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHING 2010
Crow Abbey Designs by Michelle Schafer

I've been working on my new Website, getting tags, business cards, and all of the goodies ready to launch in 2010. I'm working on getting new items to offer through Crow Abbey Designs, so make sure you sign-up and follow me for updates!

I asked LuLu Kellogg from Coastal Sisters (and a DAG Member) to design some Certificate of Authenticity's for my designs under "Crow Abbey Designs by Michelle Schafer." LuLu did a fantastic job in capturing what I wanted. LuLu will design anything for you and send you the design so you can have them printed. I had mine printed over at www.vistaprint.com. They did a fantastic job and shipping was really fast!

Thank you so much LuLu for your help! I absolutely love them!!!

Make sure you stop by and get your orders in. LuLu also designs blog banners, etsy banners, and all kinds of other goodies. Any Artist that creates and sells their works, should have these for their customers!

Check out Coastal Sisters Blog/Website

The other day, I finally got my Diary for 2010 from the "DIARY PROJECT" that I participated in. Here is my page that will appear in the Daily Diary for 2010. Fantazya did a wonderful job getting these Diaries together!

You can order your Daily Diary for 2010 by going here: http://www.fantazya.ca/diary2010.html Make sure you check out the link to see all of the fabulous artists that were involved with this project.

Okay, many of you have been asking me about DAG "Dark Artists Guild." DAG has decided to move the Forum to DAG GrimCity. We will no longer be on NING. Our new Forum is under construction, and will be ready for new Members and Fans on January 1, 2010. MarZel, The Goblin, and Myself are very excited for 2010 and what we have planed for DAG GrimCity. Stay tuned for more details.

I'm looking forward to getting home from work...yes, I'm posting my blog from WORK (shhhhhh don't tell anyone)...and settling in to watch some Christmas DVDs in my big chair with my pencils and sketchbooks. Since we don't have TV, we load up on DVDs. I just got the newest Harry Potter (the 6th movie), and was a little disappointed. I guess that is what happens when a new Director takes over. Oh well, at least the book was good! LOL
As for my weekend...I will be working in the STUDIO, watching my workshop videos from the newest Suzi Blu Workshop on "ANGELS" and getting some Holiday Art Dolls Completed. I hope you all have a wonderful and creative weekend. Always make time to create art, even if it's for 5 min a day...you will thank yourself!

UNTIL NEXT TIME

CHEERS

***Share The Joy Blog Party Event*** Happy Holidays!

Welcome to "Share the Joy" Blog Event being hosted by Denise of Bella Dreams http://www.bella-dreams.blogspot.com/ Please make sure you stop by and say hello to all of the other participants of this beautiful event. Click the Badge on the right side-bar and it will take to the official post.

Share the Joy Blog Event is about sharing Holiday Traditions, Music, Movies, Decorating Ideas, Holiday Recipes, and all kinds of other things.

From decorating your fireplace mantels, to bowls or jars full of Christmas Ornaments, you can get some ideas for Holiday Cheer during this amazing Blog Party!

Now this is a "Martini" Glass!

Look what you can do with Pine Cones!

MUST HAVE CANDLES!

Christmas Ornaments on Old Vintage Candlesticks

I have taken some the ideas above, and started to incorporate them into our Home. Welcome to our Home...It's still early, and we have more to do, but it's a start!
OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Tradition...what does it mean to you?

Over the years and ever since I was born, I get an ornament each year, mark the date on the ornament and hang it on the tree. Now from the looks of our tree I should be about 300 years old (well, sometime I feel like I'm 300, but I'm not)! LOL

One of our traditions that we do on Christmas Eve...we grab our sleeping bags and snuggle ourselves under the Christmas Tree, listening to music, watching the fireplace crackle and reading Twas the Night before Christmas.

Love collecting various types of Snowmen

What would the Holiday's be without Music...Have it playing from Thanksgiving Day right up through January!

Take a little tree and make it your Center Piece!

Vase full of Christmas Ornaments

Away in the Manger

This Manger is very old and has been in my husband's family for many years. I love laying next to our tree and gazing into this beautiful Manger.
Another Family Tradition, on Christmas Eve we all gather over at my in-laws, watch old movies, eat, laugh, and just be together. Christmas...we head back over to the in-laws and continue where we left off on Christmas Eve. It's a wonderful time of year!

Aquarius LOVES CHRISTMAS. We emptied the water and filled him with Silver Christmas Ornaments and lots of White Lights.

See how simple it is to make center pieces...Grab a Jar, Christmas Ornaments, some tinsel and pine cones.

We are still working on our Porch...The lights have to go up and the poinsettias and wreaths need to be added.

THE NUTCRACKERS STAND GUARD!

Back inside for some warm Java and more pictures of Christmas Decorating.

Collecting other artists Christmas works. Etsy is great place to find unique Christmas Decorations!

It is my wish that all of you have a WONDERFUL, CHEERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON...May the JOY you feel during these times, fill your HEART with LOVE all YEAR ROUND!

PEACE & CHEERS TO ALL!