it may be awhile till i am blogging again.
we got hit with some bad luck lately-
and my focus needs to be elsewhere.

thank you for your patience.
i am trusting you will still be here
when i return.

in happy news-
i have been busy creating
and decorating everything,
including my house.
once things get back to normal i will
post pictures of a cottage by the sea make-over.
it looks like you are underwater when you
enter my house.
lots of aqua paint. apple green and turquoise.
mermaid colors.
i LOVE it.

speaking of mermaids,
i have 5 coming over soon.
a whole new crop of art journals
will be born this week.
another camp begins.

miss you all.
blow me a wish if you can.

just wanted to post a quick note to let everyone know I’m having some major computer problems (hard drive crashed)…so i am unable to post or answer emails for the week. thanks for your patience and understanding. we will pick up where we left off when i return.

xo
the mermaid

********
update: looks like i will be getting a new computer. we are still trying to see if we can save my pictures, which is a real bummer. (everything is gone) however, i am using this time to simplify my life and create. i will be jumping on justin’s computer when i can to write. for the art projects it is easier for me to have photographs, so you will have to wait for those. miss you all.

a little late on my project for the day but better late than never.
sorry guys!

so lets make cool collage papers.

i got the idea from an artist friend
of mine who recently shared some of her
beautiful collages with me.

they were so rich and layered
and i loved the texture.

she said that she paints her
own collage papers because it makes
the blank white page less intimidating.

LOVE that.
here is my spin on it…
what you will need:

paper (preferably heavy)
gesso
paints (acrylic and/or watercolor)
stamps (optional)
sponge brushes

first i primed the paper with 2 coats of gesso.

then i just painted layers over layers of color.
i used some foam rubber stamps to make stars and swirls.
(you know the kids kind)

it is really easy to diss a pink foam star but these actually
worked pretty well.

i dipped the tip of a sponge in copper and pink paint to
get that smudgy look.

i was out of gold ink pad, so i used copper acrylic paint instead.
when it was damp but not dry, i took the sponge brush
and added the blues and purples.
i also added some random letters and numbers.
because i like random stuff.

on this one i blended different shades of blue with a sponge
and added the gold flower stamps after.

i think this one looks like mermaid paper.

you could have a lot of fun with these artists!
they feel really freeing to make because
there is no pressure for it to “be” anything.
these are papers we are going to cut up.

other ideas for collage papers:

*get some tempera and fingerpaint.
*press in dried flowers and leaves.
use mod podge to glue and varnish it
*smear oil pastels or watercolor crayons.
*color with crayons and paint over it with watercolor
*press in gold flecks and/or glitter
*mod podge colored tissue paper
*mod podge colored string/yarn/ribbon

hopefully this is enough to get your wheels turning.
remember this is nothing you can do “wrong.”

if you want to take this a step further,
here is a part 2 homework assignment with this project:

finish this sentence-
i am most free when ___________.

write as little or as much as you feel inspired.
don’t worry about spelling or proper grammer.
handwrite in on paper or print it out-your choice.

we are going to cut this up too.

tomorrow i will tell you step 3 of this project
and maybe we can share artwork as you finish them?

enjoy!

**************************

on a siednote, i have a question for you guys.
i am getting so many emails with art questions and how to set up classes, etc.
this inspired the possibility of teaching some online mermaid classes…
kinda like this but more detailed.
anyone interested?
email me at mccabe@dancingmermaid or leave a comment.

thanks!

so maybe you are a little different.

maybe you don’t blend well with the masses.
maybe you laughed a little too loud at that dinner party
and wore a skirt that was too gold, too shiny, and too short.
maybe you are the only one that does not like
the sex and the city movie.

maybe you made up a dance that someone criticized.
maybe you put a big red streak in your hair that someone said
they did not like.
maybe you told a joke that was misunderstood.
these things can suck ass,
but they are not valid reasons for you to be
anyone but yourself.

i have given away my power
when i felt responsible or guilty for hurting someone.

i have taken shitty remarks
as my truth because i did not trust this fire
that lives in my belly.

but no more, man.
that is not who i am these days.
i don’t have time or energy for it.

i want to live in creativity.
i want to live in whats true.
i want to be love.

this magic vibe is where it is at
and i am happy to bring along
anyone who wants to share in that.

if you are trying to embrace
a more creative lifestyle and are feeling
vulnerable, not enough, and/or are afraid people
might be mad at you…

listen up.
this is part of it.
try to hang in there and keep creating.

finding folks who support you
is helpful, especially during the rough bits.
pay attention to these people.
find ways to support them back.

they don’t have to be huge or earth shattering.
even a post-it note that says:
i am proud of you
can go a long way.

after awhile, all the bullshit of your past…
the hurts and disappointments,
the ugly old horned demons,
they are not going to matter as much.

because you will be too busy creating
to notice them…
you will have already transformed them into
power and become EMPOWERED with your own
magic.

the reward is instant
and clear-
you get to be yourself.

you get to do what you love.
you get to create a world that
is perfect for you.

and nothing beats that.
nothing.

************

hey all you mermaid onliners-
you up for doing some art journaling tomorrow?
i am thinking handmade collage papers.

we can use what you already have but some good thick paper
and gesso would be extra handy.

so we are already at day 3 of mermaid camp and it has been going so well. the kids have been working on altered board books/art journals all week.

each day we added one new technique. today was all about notes and envelopes to stick in the books. the kids wrote out wishes, prayers, poetry, and secrets.

paper fasteners were used to attach mermaid paper dolls arms and fins. the mermaids kind of look like they have gold boobs, don’t they? i was surprised no one else picked up on it.

i randomly put out these little tags and the kids wrote the sweetest messages on them. many of them attached them to their envelopes. all i did was put out a few hole punchers.

above reads: sparkle, words that inspire me.

this magical thing happened today. it was silent. completely silent. kids were that into their work. my friend morgan (who is helping me) and i were whispering to each other as not to break the deep creative trance.

even when we brought out the books later to work on, the kids stayed in this trance. at this point they know where to get the paint, tissue papers, mod podge, glitter, letter cut-outs, etc. we just watched. barely any questions were asked as in the previous days-they each just felt comfortable and content doing their own thing.

it was so inspiring to see them thriving in their artwork. i did not realize that at first, altered books are a bit intimating. kids were not used to painting over real books, let alone adding texture, shells, beach glass, sand, ribbon, and beads. one little girl asked me today, “but my envelope is too big for my books!” and before i has a chance to answer she added, “oh yeah, these are books we can do anything with. i forgot.” ah, music to my ears.

it was fun to see the kids gravitate to certain colors and materials. they were not forced to do anything, however, most of them at least experimented once with something new each day.

oh and the books. so layered and detailed and full of feeling and love.

since this is my biggest group, (13 girls) i assumed it may not be as intimate as the smaller groups. but it was. i had a chance to get to know all these girls on such a special level.

who says 6 and 7 year olds can’t do mixed media?

there is a play tomorrow-i split them into groups
and let them go wild with it.
we made mermaid costumes out of purple and turquoise nettings,
hot glue, glitter, and shells.
personal invitations were designed for the parents.

words can’t really describe what a beautiful experience this has been.
i am full.

my cup has runneth over.

now ya see,
on some days she can be sweet as pie…
and it just melts your
insides like chocolate.

mermaid camp started today.
13 little magical girls.
we had so much fun…

i wanted to give you guys a sneak peek at the mermaid book i am making for camp tomorrow. yes, i have surrendered to what truly makes me happy: transforming my cat into a merkitty.

the ink in our printer was not working so justin had to copy delilah’s photo at work. when one of the guys asked what it was for, justin had to answer “mccabe is making delilah into a mermaid.” not only did his friend not find this odd, but then asked, “oh is she mod podging again?”

a little update on delilah:

she was in full cuddle mode right after i wrote my last delilah post, however, now she found a new spot by the shed and has been spending all her time out there, much to my dismay. of course she comes in for treats and water. speaking of which, she still only will drink her water on the table. so much for making this my little breakfast nook.

would you guys want to eat on this table?

delilah is like a child-she hates change if she is not in charge of it. a friend of mine was sleeping on the couch one night last week, and god forbid he put his BAG on the TABLE where HER WATER IS. where her water is. she kindly let me know by meowing as loud as she could at 3 in the morning, just staring up at the table where the bag was next to her water. i moved the bag as quietly as i could, only to have delilah stare approvingly and walk away. because she might want some water later, and that bag better not be there.
*
another spot she is enjoying is under this yellow table. it stays outside but i pull it in for small art groups.

she is pretty much oblivious to a bunch of little girls doing art on the roof of her fort. much artwork is displayed to her under the table by proud artists. the funny thing is she will look at it for a minute as if she is truly interested, moving her eyes all over the page as to not miss a sparkle or a sequence. this act often prompts an excited “delilah likes my flower!”
*
a few weeks ago i was teaching 3 little girls (ages 5, 6, and 7) and delilah came in and did her signature “RAraaaaaaaahs” at me. i thought her food bowl was empty or something tragic like that, so i excused myself to go assist my high maintenance fairy princess. turned out not only was her bowl full, but it was overflowing with cat food. the problem?

she likes me to pet her while her eats. i never even considered this odd until three sets of eyes looked at me in fascination and as i stroked delilah’s back and whispered, “its okay, here is your food. you have enough food, everything is okay….”

what are you doing they wanted to know-

“uh, delilah can’t eat her catfood unless we massage her.”

as soon as the words spilled out of my mouth i realized how ridiculous i sounded. when a 5 year old looks at you like you gotta be kidding me you know its bad.

so then i explained that delilah was a stray when we first got her, and not used to being taken care of. we wanted her to know that this was her home, so when we showed her where her food and water bowl were, we comforted her by saying, “this is your home, this is your food, its okay.”

and now because of this, 2 years later, our cranky cat thinks it is totally normal to be cooed and cuddled while she feasts. because everyone likes to be reassured that their food is theirs and okay, right?

somehow my sweet students understood this,
nodding their heads with compassion in all seriousness.

this activity has now been incorporated into most of
my small art classes:
paint, create, pet delilah while she eats
her treats, snack, and clean-up.

i am sure there is no other art teacher
that has to break up fights that begin with
“no, it is MY turn to pet delilah when she eats tuna!”

not that i am complaining.

you know,
i really don’t know what i am doing either.

i am just finally allowing myself to do
what feels good.

the good feels good,
and i trust that.

i had to give you one more lookie at the sea sheep since i got a clearer picture today. aren’t they so sweet?
*
so i was thinking, you all need a nice colorful place to put your dreams. and who better than you to make such a place?

DREAMBOXES folks, lets get out the crafts and play.

this dreambox was custom made for melissa. she wrote to me and requested a special space to put all her sacred dreams. when asked what colors inspired her she replied: “midnight, magnolias, the caribbean ocean, seaglass, peacock feathers, fairy wings, and tori’s eyes.”

tori’s eyes and midnight jumped out at me as the base color, so i mixed bright blue and a deep violet to get the indigo shade. i just love it and have been using it in everything since.

to make your own dreambox, pick a color (or more) that speaks to you-and don’t be afraid to mix! i would recommend acrylic paint-any brand from the less expensive small tubes to the finer paints like golden-my personal favorite. (they have some blues that look just like a mermaids fin) you will also need a box. the one i got was wood and purchased at michaels.
*
paint your box, inside and out. once dry, decorate the top. i cut out inspiring words from scrapbook paper and mod podged them on. the butterfly is also from michaels and i added a little gold glitter for embellishment. in between the words i used fairy dust glitter, white seed beads, and sea glass. you can use anything on your dreambox-shells, pictures (it is easiest to photocopy personal pictures onto to paper) glass beads, sequence, paper flowers-whatever speaks to you.

for the inside of the box-i layered different shades of blues and green tissue paper with mod podge. the silver letter beads are secured nicely with the mod podge. (you all know my favorite glue now.) the tissue paper can be used on the outside too-and you can also layer with it patterned paper, rice paper, bits of poetry, glitter, dried flowers, etc.

this is the bottom of the box. the star is actually a sticker-even though it looks painted on. details, these little boxes are all about the details.

when i was done, i mod podged the whole thing to get it nice and pretty. however, the box then got stuck shut. once i pried it back open, i sanded the inside of the lid and all was well. just in case this happens to you-that is how you can fix it.

here are teeny fairy wings for melissa, to go in the box. i was thinking this is a really fun project to make for a friend. there are so many personal touches you could add.

something else i wanted to share are these cute vintage lunch trays i scored at a yard sale recently. they are perfect for organizing art things-for you and for when your friends come over to play. i was in the dollar store today and found some fun turquoise trays and of course i had to get those too. i have also seen some at target.

um, i really love letters.

i am such a geek i starting alphabetizing my letter cut-outs.
no i don’t have kids
and yes this is how i spend my free time.

here is another thrifty tip-second hand stores are great for collage supplies. buttons and ribbon and BOOKS. photography books are great to photocopy and use in your art journals. this KISSING book has some beautiful photos.

i also found some pretty oracle cards.

i thought they would be fun to copy and put in
etsy orders.
i love to receive tiny extras,
don’t you?

lastly, creative friends,
i would like to introduce you to 3 new
mermaids that have come to live with me.

my first suzi blu print:

(technically i don’t know if she is a mermaid but she looks like she
may have a tail under that long emerald dress)

more mermie love:

from sweet penny:

and from sophie, age 9.
she made this herself!

on that magical note-

i wish you all joyful creating
and many many moments of bliss
today.

see you all soon-
and keep linking your artwork!