Getting To Know The Cre8ive Crew: Mary MacIlvain

Welcome! 

Today’s Cre8ive Klatcher is Mary MacIlvain.

Mary describes herself as a creative, artist, designer, art journaler, mixed media, collage, quilt/fiber, book arts, drawing, painting... inspired every day.

She’s from Connecticut and her art passions lie with art journaling and mixed media.

Here are a few questions we posed to Mary in hopes of getting to know her better.

How often do you create?

I usually create several times a week. It’s whenever I can, evenings and/or weekends.

How does it make you feel when you're creating something?

When I create something it feels so good inside. I would have to say exhilarating!

Describe your personality in three words.

Energetic, positive, happy.

How do you know when a piece is finished?

It is intuitive and a conversation between me and the piece of art.

Has being artistic changed your life or outlook in any way?

Yes! I am a happier person. I feel more fulfilled and have a better outlook on life. And I feel more balanced.

Give a couple of tips on how you stay organized. 

Number one is lists, lists, and more lists. I use a running To Do List in the ColorNote app in my android phone, an At-a-Glance pocket calendar, Post-It Notes, storage containers, a 4 drawer file cabinet, and shelving. When I am done with something I put it back where it belongs so I can find it again. I keep my computer organized with tons of easy to identify nested folders and regular backups.

What’s your superpower?

I have mad computer skills and I can fly.

If money were no object in what country, place, or on what planet would you live? ...and why?

I would have a house on the beach in Connecticut on Long Island Sound. I love the sound of the waves and I love Connecticut and the four seasons.

What’s your least favorite food? ...most favorite?

My favorite food is Mexican. I can’t stand gourmet French food.

Are you an introvert or extrovert? How do you feel about that?

I am a quiet extrovert. In fact, I am ENTJ on the Myers-Briggs test. I always thought that I was an introvert because I am quiet, but that is because I am listening and taking everything in.

What is your earliest childhood memory? 

My first complete memory is moving into the new house next door to my grandparents when I was 5 years old. I don’t remember anything cohesive from before then.

If we all came to your house for dinner what would you make for us?

I would make homemade salsa (mine is the best) with Tostitos Scoops, beef and bean taco casserole (Betty Crocker recipe), a big fresh salad, and ice cream for dessert.

Stay tuned for more from Mary as she creates some great projects to share!

Want to see more of Mary's art? 

Website:  http://www.macilvain.com: 

Blog: http://maryart.macilvain.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macilvain

Instagram: http://instagram.com/marymacilvain

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/marymacilvain/

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryart

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marymacilvain

Peace and Calming Solid Perfume Pots

I have become highly sensitive to scents. It's gotten bad in the last few years.  The laundry aisle at the Walmart can send me into a headachy, nose leaky, sneezy, itchy mess. But I recently discovered therapeutic grade essential oils. I have scent back in my life! Now I'm having some fun with them.

 

I can't believe how fast and easy this project is!  I don't cook very much, so I'm skeptical of any project that requires a live flame.  This was done, start to finish, in 20 minutes (not including decorating the top of the container), so it's perfect for quick gifts for lots of occasions.  Or you can do what I did and add it to a fun giveaway on your blog (hint...click the link, leave a comment and you might win.)

You'll need:

• Beeswax--Not a giant hunk like this one.  You're only going to use a tablespoon or so.  I used four tablespoons to make three pots of perfume in these 2 inch containers.  I got a block because I tend to overbuy everything and who knows when I might need a pound of beeswax?  I didn't want to buy the kind from the craft store that had a warning label that said, "NOT FOR COSMETIC USE", so I got this at the health food store. There was no warning label. 
• Jojoba oil--Spend a little more and get organic.  If you are going to the trouble to make something, make it good.
• Essential Oil--I use Young Living, but you can use other kinds as well, I'm sure.  Just make sure to get all natural, therapeutic grade essential oils. You'll use less, and there'll be no yucky stuff in it.  This is one is called Peace & Calming and has a nice citrusy scent.  I need a lot of both peace and calming, so I thought it would be a good choice for my first attempt at a solid perfume.
• A container for your solid perfume--It can be any kind of small container that's not made of plastic. You could even reuse your mini Altoid tins.  I got these 2 inch tins from Hobby Lobby.
• A stir stick--You'll need something disposable you can use to mix the oils with the melted wax.
• A small glass jar--To melt the wax in.
• A small saucepan--To heat the water to melt the wax.
• A shot glass or similar--I discovered trying to drip the oil drop by drop into swiftly hardening wax was not going to work. Collect the drops in a separate small container to make adding them to the wax faster.

 Directions:

1.  Place water in the bottom of a shallow saucepan and place on medium heat.
2.  Chip off the equivalent of 1 Tablespoon of beeswax.  (I used 4 T to fill 3 two inch containers, so adjust as you wish).
3.  Add the wax to the small jar and place in the water. 
4. Add 1Tablespoon jojoba oil to the jar with the wax. (Or the same amount of beeswax you used if you used more.) 
5.  While wax is melting, drip 8-15 drops of essential oils into a shot glass or other small container. (Don't forget to add more if you used more than a tablespoon of wax/jojoba.)
6.  When wax and oil are fully melted together, remove from heat.  

7.  Pour essential oil into the wax mixture and stir well with stir stick.
8.  Pour your lovely smelling liquid wax into your perfume containers.
9.  Let stand until hardened.  It doesn't take very long.  You'll be tempted to poke the wax before it dries.
10. Don't poke it.

I didn't take any pictures while I was trying to cut a print of my artwork to fit in the top. Trying to get a perfect circle in the perfect size is not that easy.   You are probably better at math than I am, though.  It'll be a snap. So...

11.  Decorate the top of your lid. 

12.  Be blessed.

Follow this blog.  There are lots of talented ladies that are going to share fun and fast projects over the course of the Fall and Winter.  Don't miss them.

And join our FB group so you don't miss anything! Cre8iveKlatch

Have a great time, cre8ive friends!

<3 Lori

My Places:
My website--LeissnerArt 
My Etsy Shop 
My Facebook Page 
My Instagram 

Getting to Know the Cre8ive Crew: Ursula Smith

Today's Cre8ive Klatcher is Ursula Smith

Hello my Cre8ive friends!! I am one of the 3 hostesses of this Cre8ive Klatch! Welcome and I look forward to connecting with you!! Read on to find out a little bit more about me...

Where you are from?

I grew up on Long Island, New York, but moved to Massachusetts after college.

 

What kind of art is your passion?

I started out stamping and scrapbooking, but now I love Mixed Media art, primarily Digital Mixed Media where I can use my computer and printer along with more tradition supplies.

How often do you create?

Not nearly often enough, but I try to at least THINK creatively every day! I generally get to do something creative 3 days or so a week. But usually only for an hour or so. That is why I can’t wait to retire ;)

 

How does it make you feel when you're creating something?

Like I am in my own little world :).

Describe your personality in three words.

Hard working, creative, inquisitive

 

Has being artistic changed your life or outlook in any way?

Becoming more involved with art, has definitely increased and changed my view on art in general. I would not have thought about going to art museums before I started creating, but now that is definitely high on my favorite things to do. And I always was drawn to more realistic artwork in my earlier days. But now after exploring encaustics and painting, I have a much greater appreciation for more abstract art.

What's your superpower?

Focus. My husband jokes that the house could fall down around my head, and I would still keep working, reading, etc.

 

How did you get started...who inspired you?

My mother was always creating, so I would say she was definitely my first influence. Thanks, Mom! After I was working for a few years a friend, Donna, convinced me to join her in a decorative painting class. I loved it and took other painting classes, but always struggled because I couldn't draw that well. Finally another friend Gail had a Stampin Up party, and that was the true beginning of this latest phase. I loved the fact that I could do art without great drawing skills. Finally, I am now doing online classes and learning how to draw. My goal is to be able to draw my Grandkids when I eventually am lucky enough to have some!

If you could pick one tool or supply to do more experimenting with what would it be?

DASS transfer film and my camera.

 

If you could hang out with any artist dead or alive who would it be and why?

DaVinci- I love hanging out with smart people and he was such a genius! l love the way he drew and wrote. What a brain he had! I also love hanging out with funny people. Jane Davenport would be hysterical to hang out with I think. So there ya go- Davenport and DaVinci. What a hoot!!

 

What's the worst job you ever had?

I was a garbage person at college. It really wasn't all that bad though, because a lot of the guys helped me carry out the garbage bags ;)

 

Do you believe that only some are creative or that everyone is creative in some way? Why?

I truly believe everyone has some level of creativity in them. It is just a matter of what medium they are creative in and to what level they take their creativity to. Some folks choose paint to explore their creativity, some choose food, some choose business, some choose software, some choose decorating, fashion, fund raising- you get the idea.

What's your least favorite food? ...most favorite?

Liver, for sure is the worst! My favorite food is probably pizza.

 

Are you an introvert or extrovert? How do you feel about that?

I was such an introvert as a kid, but now I probably am more of a mix.

 

What's your most embarrassing moment? (Please keep it clean)

My friend and I decided to skinny dip at the beach and when other people showed up we quickly put our suits back on. However, I put my bathing suit top on inside out! So not cool!

 

What's was your worst haircut? Please show us a pic....

Oh my, it is between the pixie in 8th grade where I looked like a guy and people would call me young man, or my bi-level hair cut in 12th grade, where my parents didn’t even want to order my Senior photo!

It's bad enough I have no teeth, but that hair!

There's a reason why this style never returned!!

 

If we all came to your house for dinner what would you make for us?

Take out pizza, definitely. And you would be happy because I am the WORST cook ;)

Want to find me elsewhere? Checkout...

Website: http://Ursula-Smith.com

Blog:http://Ursula-Smith.com/blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ursula.nomiddlename.smith

Instagram:ursulanmsmith

Twitter: ursulanmsmith

Shop: http://Ursula-Smith.com

Pinterest: ursulasmith
Linked In: Ursula Smith

A Peek At The Gr8full Project

Did you know that identifying your personal gratitude will make you a more positive person? 

Being gr8full makes your spirit soar and allows you to be in the present moment.

#gr8fullcre8ives #cre8gratitude #cre8iveklatch

Much more to come…stay tuned!

Getting to Know the Cre8ive Crew: Lori Leissner

Hi there!  My friends, Ursula and Susan and I are the leaders of this band of Cre8ives. I do mixed media, poetry and art that speaks.

I was born and raised in Texas and am Texan through and through.  Any stereotypically Texan thing you can think of I will either have done it myself or witnessed it first hand.

Right now I live on a biggish piece of land with my husband, teenager daughter and all our dogs, cats, and barnyard fowl.   My son is away at college.  In the daytime, I'm a Quality Assurance Specialist, making sure folks are following all the rules.  At night, on weekends and in every other spare moment, I try to avoid all rules on my blog, in my art, in my poetry.

Here's some more stuff about me.

How often do you create? 

Not nearly often enough. I have a “real” job, so I have to create around that, home responsibilities, and my girlie’s sports activities.  I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like. When I have time, sometimes I have no inspiration. Sometimes when I’m most inspired, I’m stuck sitting behind a desk or in the bleachers. 

Describe your personality in three words.   

Loyal, dry-witted, observant

When/how did you realize your life had to have art in it?  

After my dad died suddenly at age 62 only 5 months after he retired and I was diagnosed with breast cancer two months later, I decided I needed to get to my “retirement” goals early.  I may never get to do art full time, but I had to get on with it anyway.

 

"It's Time to Begin"--mixed media

Give a couple of tips on how you stay organized. (This doesnt have to be about your art or studio, could just be life, office, kids...whatever) 

1. Ha  2. Ha  3. Ha

  

What’s your superpower?  

I can organize the Tupperware drawer.  And I’ve been told by numerous people over the years that I’m “the voice of reason”.  I would totally dig either one of those superhero outfits.

 

"Be Your Own Hero"--mixed media

If you could pick one tool or supply to do more experimenting with what would it be?  

I would love to sculpt or carve wood, so whatever you use for that.

What’s the worst job you ever had?   

I had a few really bad jobs.  Interestingly, working for a collection agency, delivering pizza and cleaning mouse cages were among the better ones, so I’ll refrain from naming names.

   

If money were no object in what country, place, or on what planet would you live? ...and why?  

I haven’t traveled that much, actually. I’m pretty happy here, where I am. But It would be fun to have a winter house in Hawaii and a summer house in Maine.  I would spend spring and fall in Texas.

"Parachute"--mixed media with vintage paper collage

What’s your least favorite food? 

I won’t eat anything that has coconut in it or on it.  I can’t stand the texture.  

Most favorite? 

I’m a big fan of most everything else, unfortunately.

  

Are you an introvert or extrovert? How do you feel about that?   

I’m very much an introvert.  For a long time, I fought against it.  Well, I didn’t really fight it. I stayed home and talked to myself about it.  But I felt left out of things that I didn’t even really want to participate in. That’s weird, I know.  As I’ve aged, I’ve learned to embrace my introversion.  I work around the things I’m not comfortable doing and I excel in the environments that work best for me.

What’s was your worst haircut?   

My mom was a hair dresser.  I had a number of questionable hairstyles over the years—pixies, perms, mullets. And then there was that period when I cut my hair myself because I couldn’t find a new hair person and getting to appointments was a challenge and I just couldn’t be bothered with the trouble of it all. 

 

"Giraffing"--mixed media

If we all came to your house for dinner what would you make for us? 

I would make it potluck so that you can bring me food.

You can find me online pretty much everywhere as LeissnerArt.  I love to connect online!

Here are my links:
Website:  http://www.leissnerart.com/
Shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeissnerArt
Society6:  http://society6.com/leissnerart
FB:  https://www.facebook.com/LeissnerArt
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/leissnerart
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LeissnerArt