Friday, December 11, 2009

It Has Been So Long



While I have been working away, I completely forgot about my blog and my faithful but limited readership. I'm sorry.
I honestly, am not entirely sure where to go from here.
I will come back to this neglected baby after the weekend please forgive me until then.
Thank you
Rebecca



Friday, November 27, 2009

NEAT Winter Wonderland Show and Sale



Well today was the first day of the sale!
Amazing people my Niagara Etsy Artisans Team.
What a wonderful group of people not to mention amazing artists and crafters.
We still have one day left to go and would love to have you join us.
Come see the faces behind your favorite Niagara region Etsy Shops.
Tomorrow is the last day, Saturday Novemeber 28th.
Check out the above link for directions and details.

***UPDATE****
The show is now over, but it went amazing.
If your ever going to do a show I hope that you get a room full of great people like we had.
I had such a fun time.  Seriously, if every sale is that fun I want to do one every week.
OH! But there is more. A new sale to tell you about!!!
Details to follow very soon I promise!!!


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

NEW PAINTING!--PINK MOOSE









This diminutive pink moose is by no means short  on character.
After all, it takes a big man to wear, or in this case "be", pink!
It is a 6x6 acrylic mixed media on a gallery stretched canvas.
He was my original vision for a moose painting.  But I sucomed to what a real moose should look like and created Oh Moosey! But a dream of a pink moose continued to plague my creative mind. So Pink Moose was born!
He really is the moose of my dreams.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Melissa McClelland

1 super quick thing tonight as I buzz around in a haze of caffeine.


 I had the chance to go see Melissa McClelland this evening.  AMAZING! I would dare to say she has perfect pitch.  I have seen many people live but non compared to her vocally.  Her voice was clear and hypnotic. The venue was an intimate cafe and at times you wouldn't have known 70 other people were in the room you would have thought it was just Melissa and her guitar.  Her performance was mesmerizing.  Yay! for amazing Canadian talent!!!
If you can get your hands on it I would strongly suggested you add her new album Victoria day to your collection!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

James North Art Crawl/ River Arts Festival



I live my life day to day, not always by choice but that is how things are. Plans change, ideas change, generally, things just happen.  So, than it comes as no shock when I say that I was unable to attend the James North Art Crawl. I opted however to attend, with hubby and boy in tow, a performance at Flyers Cafe in Dunnvill, ON as part of The River Arts Festival.  I figured instead of spending the money to drive 45 minutes to Hamilton that we would go to town instead and see what our local arts festival had to offer.   The festival has been going on since Novemeber 7th and this is the first time I have checked any part of it out.

Friday, had to talented musicians, unfortunately, I was only able to stay for the first one.  Yes, refer back to hubby and boy in tow.  Boy was being boy and hubby was going to have a coronary.  What I did happen to have a chance to see was very inspiring.  The entire store front of Flyers was filled with works by visual artists.  At the back of the Cafe, the actual cafe, is where we had the joy of watching a young talent singer/songwriter/musician Nate Waldes.  If his performance Friday night is any indication of his future in music, I should expect great things! At 17 he sang with confidence. Singing both original songs and covers of some of his favorites. His between song ramble was humorous.  I would venture a guess that he will be doing this for many years to come with success.

I'm hoping that today, if I can sneak away for a little while, that I can attend the "Career in the Arts Seminar taking place at Flyers.  I would love to hear what has to be said.  I'm just starting out trying to make art my career and I would love to learn how to have it bare fruit. I will be sure to let you know how that goes.

Tomorrow night, Monday November 16th, I am also hoping to sneak into town to watch a performance by Melissa McClelland!  What a joy her voice is.  Click on her name for a direct link to her site that plays songs form her newest album Victoria Day.

There has been and there is still lots more to happen at the River Arts Festival. The Festival Closes Saturday November 21st ,after a 2 week engagement, with a award ceremony, music and wrap party.  If you can please try and venture to our neck of the woods and check out the festivities.  A schedule of events can be found on the website.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

***I'm Having a CONTEST****

It is true I'm finally having a contest!


I need a new blog back ground. 
I need a background that goes with my style as an artist and that I won't want to change in a week. I need some brand continuity as they say. 


That is where you come in. I need help finding this background. 


Whoever picks the best background that I end up using will get an 8x10 photograph of their choice. Easy Peasy. 


Pick the background you think best represents Car Farm Creations, if I like it and use it you get a Car Farm Photograph of your choice!! WIN WIN!! You can create this background yourself or it can come from a FREE site, it can even be one I have used before and you thought I should have kept. Than you can post your pick here or on my Facebook Fan Page. Please make sure to also add how I can get in touch with you if you win i.e. email, blog, Facebook twitter or smoke signal.


Deadline for submission is December 1.  Enter as often as you like as long as it fits with the above mentioned rules. Have fun be creative! 




Thursday, November 5, 2009

Good people in our community.

I went to Hamilton the other day, with my ever increasingly wild child and his need to be oh so destructive, to visit art shops to figure out what I had in my neighbourhood.  My time was limited and my aim unsure but I was still on a mission.

I wandered into Mixed Media a small independent art shop, working out of a heritage building on James St.N in downtown Hamilton. I had driven by it once a few months ago, when I got lost returning from a street devoted entirely to textiles(that's another story), the name had caught my attention and I wanted to check it out. So, rambunctious  boy in tow, I ventured to Hamilton from my sleepy Car Farm to check it out.  Mixed Media  was a little art oasis.  They had an eclectic mix of supplies and product that included local art from a rotating gallery of artists.  Dave, the proprietor was an incredibly friendly and informative guy. He was even kind to my son who was systematically destroying to entire store.  Dave deserves great things to happen at his wonderful shop.  It is artists and lovers of the arts like Dave that make the art experience so much better for the rest of us.  It is a kindness that makes me want to go back to his store.

Now, Dave told me a few not so secret secrets that day.  One, James St. N art community hosts a monthly art crawl on the second Friday of every month. All the art shops galleries and stores that participate in the event keep their doors open late so that you can tour about. It starts around 7pm and is entirely self directed. So, you can go to as many or as little of the shops as possible.  They also have a Facebook page with lots of great info as well.
Second, he told me about his neighbouring shop and fellow etsians White Elephant Vintage.  They have this great little shop with a mix of vintage items and handmade items from other local artisans, many of which can be found on Etsy.  I really wish I could have spent more time in here and got to take a better look but yet again the boy monster made it difficult to even talk to the girl, who I later found out from the website is co owner, about her great shop.

Now, I went on a monday morning and most of the shops that participate in the art crawl were closed. Which means that some of the other wonderful places Dave told me about I wasn't able to check out yet.  All the more of an excuse for me to go back on the 2nd Friday of this month and participate in the crawl.

I'm planning on attending the next crawl I hope to see you there!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Change of Pace--Pumpkin Muffins

I thought I would do something a little bit different today and share a wonderful Pumpkin muffin recipe with you.
Now, I suffer from allergies and an eosinophilic disorder which cause to many problems to describe. What I can eat is limited and the list is always getting smaller.
These muffins contain no milk, no egg, no soy, no nuts and no oil!

I used fresh pumpkin from our garden but you can just as easily use pumpkin puree from a can. Just make sure it has no spices added.

What you need.

2 cups pureed sugar pumpkin or canned

3 cups unbleached all purpose flour, you can substitute 2 cups whole wheat if you like

1/12 cups brown sugar, firmly packed

2 teaspoons backing soda

1/2 teaspoon backing powder

2 teaspoons ground cloves                        

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon                        

2teaspoons ground nutmeg                          

1 teaspoon allspice                                      
-------------------------------------------------------------
Spices can be substituted with 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice
-------------------------------------------------------------
2/3 cup applesauce (this is used in the place of oil)

3 tablespoons shelled flax meal mixed with 135ml of water. **This is 3 tablespoons water to every       tablespoon flax. Mix together and let stand.***note if you can eat egg, you can replace flax mix with three eggs, since the flax is a substitute for egg!


To make pumpkin puree, cut small sugar pumpkin in half scoop out seeds and strings. *seeds can be saved and roasted for a yummy snack.  Place cut side down on a baking sheet lined with tin foil or parchment paper.   I find if you don't do this the natural sugars in the pumpkin make for some very hard scrubbing.
Then cover with tinfoil and place in the oven at 350  degrees F(175C) until fork tender. About 90 minutes.
Remove skin and you can either puree with a fork or in a blender/food processor.

1.  Preheat over to 350 F.  Paper line muffin tin.  Trust me line with paper or you will be cleaning your tins for a week.

2. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
    In a medium bowl, mix/beat together, pumpkin, flax mix, and applesauce.

3. Combine pumpkin mix with dry ingredients. This is a thick batter.  Just keep mixing. These are beautifully moist dense muffins. But mixing by hand you'll wonder if there is enough moisture. Keep mixing until batter is smooth and blended.

4. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Until tooth pick comes out pretty clean.

Last but not least, enjoy!
I made these last night, the recipe made about 18 regular muffins.  I had 2 when they were done. Soooo yummy! I had 2 for breakfast, my son had one.   That means my hubby had 7 this morning. I hope some made it in his lunch bag. Because we only have six left.
That's how good this recipe turned out.

It was actually surprising for me that they were so good.  I have always had allergies but I could have  egg, milk and soy. But I recently found out that these new allergies in conjuncture with my eosinophilc disorder were making me really sick.  So they had to go.  I'm learning how and what to eat with allergies and this disorder all over again.

Well friends, I hope you enjoy the recipe like we did here on The Car Farm!




 Sorry webcam image!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Gadzooks! Another Giveaway!!

Our dear friend over at Sassmowth Designs is having another giveaway. This girl loves making you happy!  So, help her make you happy by visiting her blog and  find out how you can win a ten pack of Christmas cards. These cards are an unconventional hoot!


Friday, October 30, 2009

And Now It is Done.



Here is a glimpse at the finished painting!


So what do you think?
What do you think it means? I would love to hear your versions of the meaning. What it represents for you. After all, art is in the eyes of the beholder.  After a couple comments I will give you why I came up with this piece, what I see it as,  what i feel its meaning is, and what it represents for me.
But I don't want my version to sway yours. So, please give me your thoughts.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

New Painting!

I am working on a new painting. Would you like a sneak peak. Wait where's my camera? Oh, found it!
Now granted, these are not the best pictures to document my artistic journey but they serve well as a quick glimpse into what is going on.

The first one is what it looks like now.




And this one shows what it will look like when I am done!




Now to just decide if the font and bubble are right for what I want to do. Then do adhere it and make it look like a cohesive part of the piece.


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Identity Crisis.

Alright for those of you who follow me on a regular basis you may have realized that I'm having a bit of an identity crisis here at The Car Farm.

 My blog has changed about 1000 time in the last couple months and in the last day or 2 it has changed its skin more times than I can count. The problem is trying to decide the branding and the image I want to display, this says a great deal about my company and the person running it.

My other problem is I'm skilled in many areas but not 100% in computer.  I want it to be professional but still have personality.  Not only that, I just plain change my mind  a lot. That doesn't mean I'm indecisive it means I'm a liker of many things!  But I'm hoping to find a permanent look soon. Or maybe I will forever have rolling backgrounds!

So was there one you liked best that seem to suit the brand the best?  Oh and the new banner tweaks what do you think? PLEASE I love your comments they make me better!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Featured on SassmowthDesigns Blog!



Today has been a very exciting day here on The Car Farm, Car Farm Creations has been featured in a blog. In her Getting To Know You Tuesdays segment.  It is a real honour to be featured and I couldn't be more thrilled.

I met Kathryn Lantz(aka Kat) from SassmowthDesigns, a very generous and talented crafter/artist,  one evening in an Etsy chat room, she was very nice and helpful; graciously giving up some of her trade secrets.  She also shares a hundred km radius with me, which means she has been very helpful in sharing valuable local resources with me. Even doing the leg work for finding a printing company.  She has been an invaluable part of my Etsy learning curve.  And now yet again she has shown me a great deal of kindness in featuring me on here ever growing blog.

So, please help me in thanking her by showing her love and kindness visit her blog,shops ( craft, photography), twitter, or Facebook.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

UP coming works.

I would love to say that at the moment I am over flowing with a vast array of ideas that are more spectacular than the last but that would be a lie.  The things I am thinking of require tools that I do not have.  So I have been trying to find ways of doing what I want with something other than I think I need.  You would think that being artistically inclined i would be more apt at thinking outside the box, but I fear, that  my long artistic hiatus caused a dam in mental capacity that has me thinking solely within the confines of a rather small box.

So to assist in my mental block or more so to assist in the realization of the ideas i do have floating around in the vast emptiness of my creative mind I am requesting the following things in a buy, sell, trade, gift or lone capacity. The last three would be preferable.
1. A sewing machine that works.  Mine has left the world of the working.
2. A better camera more zoom, more freedom, less of a compact.
3. Old family shots from the 1960's or older.  Seasonal or life moments welcome. They will be used and reused, originals not required just rights to use and reproduce. so good, clear copies or originals. Oh I have said to much.

Those are the big things right now.  I think once I can resolve those problems many of my other issues should hopefully just fall into nice little rows.  OR that is the plan.

Has it ever happened to you were you feel like your creativity is gone or that what you do have is being left unrealized?


Oh I just had a flash of genius. Now, let's hope that this is the one that will lead to a long line of genius ideas!!
And if you are wondering about the picture. It is the new growth out of the old.  Remnants of last years crop lay the ground for this years.  And it isn't always the same seed planted!

Friday, October 23, 2009

I'm back and faster than ever.

I'm back and faster than ever, well my internet is anyway.
I was gone a week and have a ton of catching up to do.


So, would you like to know what happened while I was away??
I will tell you soon. I promise! For now, Just rejoice in all the goodness that is the car farm! Or at least in the fact that I was able to get internet at this technological black hole i call home.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Technical Difficulties

We are experiencing technical difficulties here at the car farm and will be without internet for a while...GASP.
SO, I hope you won't forget us while we are away and wait our return with baited breath.
Thanks.
Rebecca

Friday, October 16, 2009

ACEO---A Poem for Robin.

I created my 1st ACEO last night.  Well, it isn't quite finished but if my son cooperates today I should be able to finish it.
Would you like a sneak peak?  Will you tell me what you think?

First, a little story about it.
I used to do mixed media paintings, that incorperated cut out words and or phrases to create poetry and stories on these painted backgrounds.  I haven't done one in years, they can be very time consuming and I think, in the end, they only ever appealed to me.  But that being said.  This little ACEO is a play on that idea.  I received an old bird watching book in a bag of goodies just before I had my son.  This book is from the 1920's and was in very poor condition but like all old books it has undeniable charm and appeal.  So, leafing through its pages I discovered it is beautifully illustrated and is full of a quirky and humorous dialog, that it lent it self well to this type of art.  Unfortunately, I am limited in this case by the size of the ACEO.



The process:

The Robin image is actually an image transfer done using gloss medium and the original image.  First, you apply gloss medium all over the image you want.  Apply it to the surface you are using for your art and allow it to dry fully. That is very important.  When it is dry, use a damp cloth to remove the back of the image paper and you will be left with your original image.
When that is complete you can do what ever you like to the image.

So, is it up to the ACEO standard?  Remember it isn't quite done but well on its way!

Friday, October 2, 2009

NEAT Winter Wonderland Show and Sale

I am very excited, I will be participating in my first Show and Sale in November. It is being put on by the Niagara Etsy Artisan Team.  A group of Niagara based Artisans who have etsy shops.  They are all a talented group of Artists and would love to have your support as much as I would.  I know it has been a long hard year for everyone.  But these Artisans have beautiful items for everyone. Here is the link for the Facebook Event Page.  It has links to the Etsians who are participating in the show.

Show that you are sick of big box stores, help your community and shop local handmade.

The show is being held at the Pelham United Church November 27 starting at 12 noon and running until November 28 at 5pm.

So start making that list of people you have to buy gifts for and before you go to the Big box store come check us out.  Give those Christmas dollars to a local hardworking artisan before some fat greedy corporate sleaze ball that doesn't care if you can afford his stuff as long as you BUY BUY BUY.

Instead Help someone make a great Christmas for their family and yours with lovingly made gifts from the heart.

Monday, September 28, 2009

The Pumpkins are Here



Pumpkins for Sale!
150 Pumpkins looking for a new home.  We have delicious pie varieties as well as carving pumpkins and as you can see from the photograph we even have white pumpkins.
We even grew a huskless seed variety but we are keeping those all for our self.
Drop by The Car Farm and get you pumpkins before they are all gone.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Smells like fall!

The air is cooling, the leaves are turning and there is that distinct smell filling the air. Summer is leaving and fall is now taking hold. A time when all things cozy and spiced are wanted.
That also means I have pumpkins for sale very soon!
So whether you want to carve a scary Jack'O'lantern for your front porch or you want to make pumpkin pies for Thanks giving, I have what you are looking for.
I have two white varieties.
Two varieties for your carving pleasure.
And my favorite, Small Sugar for baking and eating and all that spicy goodness.
We tried one the other night, my husband informed me that we will not be selling any this year because  he will be eating them all. They are just to good to sell!

Don't worry, they are for sale! No way can he eat over a hundred of the wonderfully delicious little darlings.

If you are interested in farm fresh pumpkins please feel free to take a wonderful Sunday drive and join us at The Car Farm.
I will happily give you the address and directions if you send us an email!

Prices vary according to size and type.  We will try and be fair as possible with our prices.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Oh Moosey, Portrait of a Moose-- Original Acrylic Painting


I finally listed my dear friend Moose. He and I have a had a bit of a love hate relationship. I didn't always enjoy painting him, but I will be truly sad to see him go. Anyway, I thought I should put up some better picture of the poor guy, so he doesn't get to much of a complex.

Here is his listing on etsy.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Portrait of a Moose.


Blogging has not yet become second nature to me. So, I often forget that I have this venue to discuss my process/progress or lack there of, some days. I have been slowly working on a piece I call "Portrait of a Moose". There are still a few places that need to be fully realized but I believe I may finally be putting this one to rest.

**Update***
I'm done!!

I hope that people will love him like I do. Maybe he will find a nice place in a home in lieu of a real moose head. Or just because they think he is dashing!

Now, please forgive the horrible picture of my dear moose. I am going to try and get a better shot.

I will be selling him on Etsy. Please check out my shop.


Friday, August 21, 2009

They're Here


Postcards are here. I have them listed on etsy. www.carfarmcreations.etsy.com
I'm so excited. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Monday, August 17, 2009

In the works.

Coming Soon***

Postcards--- I order a small run of postcrads of some of my photographs.
if people like them I will look into ordering more.

Pictures and prices to follow soon!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Working From Home

Working from my home is definately a challenge, especially, with a small child. There are many people who do it effortlessly, or at least it looks like that to the outside world.

Tell me your deepest darkest secret...How do you do it? Really! The truth now. Do you sedate your children so they take extra long naps? Do you secretly have a maid/nanny who comes during the day/night? Or are you a complete type A, organized and a go getter?! That's it isn't it?!

I want to be that person but I think my artistic inclinations lead me in a more organization through chaos kind of direction.

But there are a few things I have learnt about trying to wear more than one hat at a time.
First, Get dressed in the morning. Of course the outfit will depend entirely on your proffesion. But If you treat it like you had an office/store front people frequent you are more inclined to treat your work place as such. This is in turn reflected in your work.

I, however, do have days where I find it hard to get out of my jammies, but I can still be productive. This, I attribute to the fact that I probably have my shoes on, Flip-Flops usually. So if you don't want to get dressed putting on your shoes may help.

These are a few of the things I find that are helping a little bit. Just little things to trick myself into saying "OK, it is time for work now."

Now, to find a way to convince my son that when my shoes are on that mommy is going to work and he has to play like a good boy. "No, eating mommy's paint!"

I gladly take suggestions and ideas on how to work from home with children. I will also love comments on my ideas.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Pumpkin Patch




Car Farm Creations isn't just a forum for creative endeavours. I also have a pumpkin patch!! I'm so excited that they are growing and thriving and surviving my notoriously black thumb.
So not only can you buy beautiful art here on The Car Farm you can also get beautiful pumpkins.

This year I have six varieties. Two white varieties, two for jack'o'lanterns, one for pies and lastly one that has huskless seeds! Now, the last variety isn't doing as well as I would like. But the rest...well, it's amazing. We planted 150 plants and we easily have 200+ pumpkins. Some are already 4 or 5 lbs.

Between my New life as an artisan and the pumpkin patch I've been very busy. Loving every minute of it.

Although with all things I will take any great advice, tips and secrets to a successful Pumpkin Patch!!

This fall come join us here at The Car Farm and get a farm fresh pumpkin.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Getting Started

Well I finally did it! I wiped the dust of my creativity and ambition. I'm going to do it. I'm going to be a professional artist. Starving or not.

I have for many years done what I thought is the right thing to do what would be lucrative, although there is nothing lucrative about student loans.

I buried my creativity deep deep deep down. I did what I thought would make my family happy. I went to school taking courses I thought would eventually make me happy. Not really.

So, I'm doing it. Slowly, but I'm making it official!!

I will use the blog to hock my wares, tell tales of projects and share insight and queries.

Welcome! This is the soft underbelly of Car Farm Creations!!!