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Cookala

Cookala
Date Joined: April 13, 2010
Last Online: August 30, 2010
Birthday: December 25, 1943
Country: United States

Favorite Crafts

I love mixed-media art and experimentation with various materials and techniques. I enjoy the creative freedom that mixed-media provides...no limits, no rules. I enjoy the playfulness of sharing with other creative souls and think of creativity as life-giving. I believe that creativity can thrive if allowed to exist in a non-judgemental incubator. I am drawn to natural elements, lots of color and texture. I love animals and rusty things. I'm not much into cutesy things.

Favorite Movies

I love well-made films and appreciate film as an art form. I especially like films that focus on all that is good about being human. At the top of the list is "Shawshank Redemption".

Favorite Books

I enjoy a well-written mystery with interesting characters and turn of plot. Always looking for recommendations. I enjoy the Stephanie Blum bounter hunter series for mystery/humor.

Although not quite a mystery, I very much enjoyed a book that was painful to read but which I couldn't put down: "The Kite Runner"

Magazines: I love, love, love "Cloth, Paper, Scissors"

About Me

I very much care about the environment and so try to re-use items from the trash as often as possible. I am always experimenting with materials that were originally intended for other uses.

I believe that any artistic gift or creative expression that I have is God-given and therefore my desire is to express it in a way that brings joy, knowledge, encouragement, humanity to others (and to myself).

Always searching for

-International Ephemera -Old black & white images photos or magazine -packaging with interesting shapes or images -interesting faces from magazines -wire mesh of all kinds (even belts) -old jewelry pieces (metal, glass or leather) -bold printed graphics or lettering -ideas for using materials in new ways -anything that could create or build texture -newspapers, magazines, art magazines from non-English speaking countries -rusted flat things -clock and watch faces -thoughtful and uplifting (non-religious) quotes -mixed media artists who enjoy experimenting with unusual materials

Who Am I?

I am a 66 (born in 1943) year old just-retired woman who is passionate about creativity. I was born in Philadelphia, PA and moved with my parents and brother to So. Calif. when I was 18. I moved from Calif. to Eugene, Oregon in mid-80's (I think).

I was married for about 5 years in the late 60's...and decided I didn't like being married. I do not have any children. I have two cats who are the perfect companions, but I don't get goofy about cat memorabelia.

I have cousins in Eugene who are very busy with their families. My mother died in 2004 (at 86), followed by my brother 3 months later (at 66). My dad just died last week (5/7/10 at 102). I find that the loss of my immediate family is stirring a desire to reach out via internet to like-minded people and mixed-media artists.

If I had to summarize my personality and character, I would say that I try to live by "always do the loving thing!" I have a deep, abiding belief that I will be guided (in life and in art) by a loving, internal force. Call it God, call it the Universe, I only know that we all have it if we listen carefully. I believe that many religions cause separation and intolerance and personally feel no need to hear about your religious beliefs and I will respect you enough to not force my beliefs on you.

I want to encourage all to explore their internal playful child and come out and play! Play with paint, paper, fabric, fiber, clay, stamps, glue, buttons, thread, rubber bands, crayons, markers, wax, wallpaper paste, joint compound, starch, bleach, Tyvek, sprays, resins, fruit stamps, paper bags, tissue paper, plastic bags, wallpaper, wrapping paper, old greeting cards, Citra--Solv...let your creativity express itself!

Responding and Rating

I always, always, always respond...so if you haven't received something from me within a reasonable time (allowing for mailing), please contact me.

I will always rate. I will only give out a heart if you have put a little more effort into the swap than was called for. I love decorated and altered things (pcs, books, journals, envelopes) and give a heart for any attempt at art. I think we all have a creative spark and I want to encourage you to at least try, knowing there is no judgement, only applause for the attempt. YES, YOU CAN!

Favorite Television

I am an HGTV addict: Favorite HGTV shows are: Color Splash, Divine Design, What happened to Myles of Styles?, Design on a Dime.

Other shows I enjoy: Gilmore Girls, CSI, Law and Order, Bones, House, The Closer. Artist profiles on Ovation channel, PBS specials about nature, PBS (OPB) sewing/art quilting shows, craft shows whereever I can find them, Old movies (especially 40's), ,

Ratings

Ikat78 rated for Nice Face PC Swap on Aug 12, 2010
5
rating
Comment: How adorable, thanks.
5
rating
Comment: Fantastic, beautiful package, incredible work. I could spend a couple of hours looking at all the detail. Thank you so much!
ifluctuate rated for Moose ATC on Jul 16, 2010
5
rating
Comment: really nice moose atc!! you did a great job! I actually have never seen a wild moose, believe it or not... but my parents saw one up by their cottage once and said it was just gigantic! Of course I don't think i would want to see one while driving that would be scary!! thanks for the cute poems as well. =)
labelle rated for Birds Behaving Badly Swap on Jul 12, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Thank you. Very unique and fun.
Raksava rated for Safari Animal ATC on Jul 7, 2010
5
rating
Comment: thank you for the ATC!
5
rating
Comment: These are both wonderful, thank you for describing your processes! I especially LOVE the bicycle, and your backgrounds are awesome. I can tell you're an artist-thank you!
MishMosh rated for Safari Animal ATC on Jul 6, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Thank you!
MAGGIEMAY rated for Happy 4th of July Swap on Jul 6, 2010
5
rating
Comment: thank you for your great 4th of july cards. love your hand carved stamp! :) thanks for the betty boop picture. love it.
ZestyBetsy rated for Nice Face PC Swap on Jul 4, 2010
5
rating
 
Candybandy rated for Cluck Cluck Cluck ATC on Jul 4, 2010
5
rating
Comment: I like how creative you were with hand drawing your own stamp! The colors are very nice. :)
Response: I am sorry that you didn't think my handdrawn chicken deserving of a heart. Do you have a suggestion on how I could have improved it???
artandsoulfl rated for Just Draw 2! on Jun 29, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful! Thanks! :-)
5
rating
Comment: Ellice! I got my goodies today. Your envelope is so gorgeous I want to frame IT! Love what you sent me - thank you so much. No worries re my package coming too late to incorporate - I wasn't counting on it in the first place, just thought I'd leave that option open. What a sweet pic of you on the pony! And with your work being two-sided - I think I shall have to use it as the front cover for a journal or something similar - must see both sides!! Thank you so much for a great swap!
LindaSue rated for Altered Photo Swap on Jun 22, 2010
5
rating
Comment: LOVE the photo! We have a great friend who is a farrier, so the photo was perfect! I love the paint on the photo!
Response: I'm so happy you liked it. I love the relationship that is conveyed in that photo. I would be very curious to hear what your friend's reaction to it is...if you remember to let me know, I'd be a happy camper. Thanks for the great rating.
craftyfiend57 rated for Broken Face Collage ATC on Jun 21, 2010
5
rating
Comment: these atc's had to be the funniest thing ive ever seen. terrific!
Response: I'm so happy you thought they were funny...I wasn't sure. at first if they weren't just plain ugly! But they did make me laugh...thanks for great rating!
5
rating
Comment: very interesting scenerio, i like it!! thank you
needlewings rated for Cookie and Wanda's Journal Page on Jun 20, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Awesome. Love it! Alas, I have yet to finish yours among the chaos of family here, but will get to it soon!!!!
OnceInABlueMoon rated for U-Name-It Themed Journal on Jun 18, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Well. What can I say? I received the most awesome journal in the mail today - I love every single inch of it. This is an outstanding effort - an outstanding end result!! I truly adore this, can't wait to show it to everyone. Thank you so much for pouring your heart into this.
Response: Oh I am so thrilled that you like it. As I said, I read and re-read your email so I could include as many elements that matched your family and your plans for the summer as possible. It was alot of work...but it was worth it! May you and your family experience many wonderful moments to record in it! Ellice/Cookie
hydro75 rated for B Flat on Jun 18, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the lovely ballerina! :)
Response: So happy that you liked the ballerina. I tried to match the envelope to some of your likes on the profile. I just couldn't figure out how to make the ballerina match without destroying her integrity. Sorry you weren't wowed though "no heart" boohoo! Can you give me some tips on how I could have improved it?
5
rating
Comment: Thank you! :-)
aguasulis rated for Two-Toned on Jun 15, 2010
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for this very unique piece. Also thanks for the great extras full of ideas. I'm looking forward to swapping with you again in the future!
Response: Thank you for the great rating. I'm so happy you liked my unique piece. I always try to surprise...that is my challenge...to come up with something unusual. I don't remember if I mentioned that I am hosting two swaps: Circles, Wheels, Round Collage and Birds Behaving Badly. Have fun!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 36 3 4
Completed Fives Threes Ones
36 46 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
0 13 23 0
View all

Currently In

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Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Groups

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Comments

skybridgestudios on Mar 14, 2011:

I just brought home my first bottle of Citra-Solv. So, I watched their video on the Somerset site, and I'm ready to give it a go. If you have any tips, etc. I'd love to hear them. Also, if you'd like to do a one on one CitraSolv product swap, please think of me. I appreciate the not-cute, too.

OnceInABlueMoon on Jun 18, 2010:

Wow. Your customized journal is just fabulous - I love it, and anticipate strolling down memory lane for many years to come when we look at this. Thank you.

GTstamper on Jun 5, 2010:

Welcome to the Rubber Stamping group!

Welcome to the Rubber Stamping group!

Thanks for joining!

wolfeagle on May 27, 2010:

Since it hasn't been done yet......Welcome to Swap-bot. And thank you so much for being an angel for the Big Fat Stuffed Envelope Swap-International!!! I appreciate it and think you are a Super Star!

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