Joy Eliz

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:19:00 +0000

These are the Halloween Voodoo Dolls that we made when my parents were in town last weekend. Don't worry, they're strictly decoration:)

My BF and I saw these cute dolls in a craft magazine and decided to give them a try. I just love sitting around with friends and family and creating art or crafting. I think they came out pretty good. From left to right the dolls are: Mom's, mine, Dad's and then my friends are on the bottom row.

Next craft is Halloween bracelets and more Halloween cards. Soon to be posted.

J.

The Owl and the Pumpkin

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Well, it seems like summer is over and fall is here. I love fall but I still wish summer were a little longer - Although working at the TanSpa it kind of always feels like summer, especially when I'm wearing shorts to work no matter what temperature it is.

My life has been busier than ever but I've managed to find time to create some art. I've been making Halloween Cards and painting watercolor - as you can see here. This is a piece I'm giving to my friend for her birthday (I don't think she reads my blog - I hope not!).

Tonight I'm off to do some Ghost Hunting which is always interesting and fun and Sunday is our 17th wedding anniversary - so it looks like another busy weekend.

I hope you all are well and enjoying this Friday :)

Joy

Swing of Things

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:44:00 +0000

I can not believe how hard it's been trying to get back into the swing of things. Especially now with my new addiction: Facebook. I've been getting my email through my phone since I'm not always at my PC and it's easier than running upstairs every hour to check email. But now, my phone is constantly beeping and dare I say it, I kind of like it. A constant reminder that my friends are out there leaving messages, status updates and comments.

I have been doing some ElizaDeath art which is nice but forget about everything else.

So, what I'm posting now is something I did a while ago. It's part of the on going Moly X project. I do like the project but if you ever want to get involved with a Moly exchange just beware that there is a chance that you may never get your Moly back. Both exchanges I'm involved with some Moly's are missing and in one case all of them are lost forever and we had to start all new books. That sucked.

Anyway, today finally feels like summer so I'm on my way outside to do a little gardening.

J.

Exposure

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:54:00 +0000

Well, I did it. I finally broke down and joined facebook.

I kept getting requests from friends to join and when I would go there I couldn't see a thing - unless I joined of course. And for a long time I didn't want to join. I didn't want the exposure. But then again, that's exactly what this blog is all about - exposure. And maybe that's why I haven't been blogging lately, I wanted to stay hidden. I claimed that I didn't have the time like I used to and to some degree that's true but I could make time if I really wanted to.

So now I'm ready. Ready to be exposed and open up.

I've connected with so many people that I haven't seen in years - people I even forgot about. And it's been fun - almost addicting. I reconnected and went out for coffee with someone I haven't seen in 17 years! Sometimes it makes me feel old and admittedly outcasted since I don't have any children, but I know my life is exactly how it should be regardless of how I feel.

So, my suggestion is to sign up with facebook and just see who is out there - You'll be surprised.

J.

Still flying around

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Moleskine project Moly X 19

Well, I'm still flying around busier than ever.
I miss blogging and I miss my blogger buddies but I don't have the free time like I used to. Even my art has become scarce lately. This kinda bums me out but on the other hand I really like working at the TanSpa.

Right now I just wanted to get my feet wet again by posting a little something from the Moly Exchange I'm involved in. Later when I have more time I will have to tell you all the crazy weirdness that goes on at the TanSpa and my theory of the kind of people who tan - which would now include myself!

Anyway, that's all for now.
J.

Moly Exchange - Alphabetica

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:53:00 +0000

This is a three page (Japanese fold) Moleskine that I did for my Moly_X_36 exchange. It's now headed off to Germany.

The owner of this Moleskine wanted a theme that was similar to the book Alphabetica. I've never actually seen the book but gauging by her entry and the cover of the book I was able to guesstimate how it should look.

I had a lot of fun doing this and it makes me want to get the Alphabetica book. Actually, I have a whole wish list at Amazon that has Collage type books that someday I will own.

So, I'm still finding time to do art, take care of the house, fur-babies, and work part-time. I've also gotten myself mixed up with a paranormal research group - The one that came to my house and looked for ghosts. We've just gotten together so there is a lot of meeting about what we want to accomplish and trial and error in using the equipment which has been fun and enlightening.

Finding Balance

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:10:00 +0000

At the end of July I got a part-time job which is HUGE for me since I haven't worked outside of the house in 8 years. I've been finding time to work and still create art and art projects but it's been a new adventure. A good adventure at that.

One thing that I really like about working is that I've gotten myself back into the circulation of social-ness. Normally I tend to secret myself away from anyone and get wrapped up in projects and alone-time. Now I've been socializing and it really feels good.

Also, it has helped me get through the loss of my 14 year old cat Pete which I had to put to sleep on Aug 11. I'm still heart broken but I have plenty to keep my mind busy.

I know this is going to sound strange, but ever since July I've felt this shift of energy in my life - one for the good - Since the beginning of the year new things have been happening. I've been more social, I've made new friends and now am working. It seems that things just keep getting better.

And speaking of better, starting September 26, I am going to school for Reiki. By November 9th I will be a Reiki practioner! I can't wait - It's something I always wanted to do.

All this leaves me less time to Blog and be on the internet but I have not left it completely. Hopefully I will start to blog more and tell of my exciting adventures!

xox
Joy

Phoenix

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:19:00 +0000

Slowly but surely I still am creating art. I've been pretty busy now that summer is here and I have other projects going on like Moly_X, which is really interesting and a challenge.

The whole idea of the Moleskine exchange is that you have the Japanese fold Moleskine and each artist draws on two and a half pages making sure to blend into the previous drawing. Then the book is passed on to the next artist.

This drawing above is in my personal book but I was trying to get the feel for drawing a Phoenix for a Moly exchange.

It may see a little dark, and I think I am going to post it on ElizaDeath as well - But the over all message is being able to overcome mental illness.

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:08:00 +0000

I've been tagged by Caroline over at Caro's Lines and thought, 'why not'.
I haven't been blogging like I used to and have been horrible at leaving comments - It's as if I am just looking for an excuse to stop blogging. Instead, I have a reason to blog. And with no pressure, here goes:

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

I only had 3 months left wearing braces
I was planning a London vacation
I had a miserable full-time job
I just started taking anti-depressants
My weight was a lot lighter! boo-hoo!

What 5 things are on my 'to do' list:

Clean Litter Box
Go Grocery shopping
Make Reiki Art (above)
Do some laundry
Make dinner

5 Things I've done today:

Did some laundry
Made Reiki Art
Paid Bills
Meditated
Listened to the radio

5 Snacks I enjoy:

Kettle Corn Popcorn
Iced Coffee
Jello Sugar free Pudding cups
Ginger chews

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Travel
Embark on a spiritual quest
Embark on a mental health quest (a healthy quest) ha!
Adopt a baby
hmmm... still thinking...

5 places I've lived:

Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois - And that's it! How boring!

Well, that's it for today - I still have that 'to do' list to work on.

Michigan

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:44:00 +0000

I'm back from Michigan. (actually for a week)

I never realized how "woodsy" Michigan is - Or at least in the U.P.
I kept worrying about ticks and spiders although I don't think they have poisonous spiders up there. I loved all the nature and believe me, there was a lot!

We spent hours watching and taking pictures of the humming birds. They were buzzing us before we could get the feeder out - They must have been hungry!

Then there was Lake Michigan which went past the horizon. On Sunday night there was a huge storm where lightening fingered out - we tried to take pictures of that but were too slow.

We did all sorts of out-door things like walk in the woods and combed the beach for shells and at night we built camp fires and watched the sky.

I completely ate like crap yet only gained one pound, which is not too bad.
The only thing now is that I want to continue to eat donuts for breakfast and s'mores right before I go to bed.

Alas, 'yummy-time' is over.

Look at me now.

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Wow, look at me now. For someone who is usually a 'stay-home' kind of person, I sure have been out and about!

This picture is at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, where Lisa Williams was performing live. Luckily, it is the same driving time to either Milwaukee or Chicago from where I live. This was a treat because I have never been to the Pabst Theater. It is absolutely gorgeous.

I love Lisa Williams but I have to say I had way more fun at the Oak Brook book signing than at the actual show. At the book signing there were little 'magic' things that happened that night that were really lucky and felt 'wooOOooo'. Where as the live show was exactly like watching her 'Life Time' show except without the editing, so, we sat through a lot!

No more news about the ghosties in my garage and most of the time when I go out there I don't even think about it - And the funny thing is that I'm usually taking out the garbage and have to walk all the way through to the front - it's always dark because I don't bother turning on the light but I'm never scared - I am more than positive they're nice ghosts.

So, I'm off again - This weekend I'm going to Michigan with my friend to her parent's lake-house for a really nice and relaxing time. I must remember to bring my camera and take pictures.
Note to self: remember to charge the battery!

With all this social-ness that's been going on, I think my social anxiety has been getting better. Who knows maybe I will actually get over this whole social-phobia someday.

:)

Back to normal...

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:36:00 +0000

I still feel like I'm reeling from last week - Even though everything is back to normal except me. I still want to go out and do exciting things, I want to drink iced lattes, and have someone else make dinner while I relax on the couch. God, I'm spoiled!

After my parents left I had to go back to my normal life. I've finally am caught up with all the postcards and letters I like to send and return. And I finally had the chance to go over to my friends house and hear the EVP that was recorded in my garage.

There were four distinct sounds that they heard and couldn't explain - And I agree, but my mind keeps telling me that there has to be some kind of explanation.

1. Two chimes of a Cuckoo clock is the best description although the last note is one pitch higher.
2. What sounds like someone blowing on the top of a bottle.
3. A man saying something or someone "said". This one was very hard to make out.
4. A mans laugh.

The sounds are very clear and distinct. I do not own nor have I ever owned a cuckoo clock. And the man's voice is very low and hard to make out.

It's strange because these sounds are very distinct from the other sounds like when the Ghost Busters were talking or walking and moving about.

I keep thinking what could have made those noises and come up blank.

On a side note, my garage is separate from the house and is not the original garage. The original garage was in the back-yard and more like a mini barn. This garage doesn't even sit on where the old one was. But... The land that the house is on used to be a garbage dump. As it is now we constantly have broken bits of old glass and strange metal bits coming up to the surface in my garden.

The Voice

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:35:00 +0000

Since we left off, I had met Lisa Williams the Clairvoyant Psychic, got the very last copy of her book in Borders and then was having the Ghost Busters come check out my house the day before my parents were coming for a week visit. Whew! Talk about cutting it close.

I suspected that the Ghost Hunters wouldn't really find anything - Whether it real or made up, I seem to think that a lot of this paranormal activity is going on inside my mind.

Well, they came over none the less and did several readings with an EMF gauge, temperature gauge and EVP recorder. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I decided to tell them about my creepy garage and how I think someone was killed in my car. (I can't explain why I think someone died in my car I just get a 'feeling'. ) So they did the same tests out in the garage.

A few days ago my friend called me with the news - All was normal except... there is a disembodied voice in the garage which came through on the EVP recorder!!!

The sad news... I haven't heard it yet.

Being that my parents were in town and my friend now has a cold I have to wait to hear what is exactly on the tape. My hopes are high but I can't make any claims until I hear it myself.

I will keep you posted.

Lisa Williams

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:03:00 +0000

I can't believe this is the only decent picture! Blah!Look how tight my hands are - Can you tell I'm nervous!

I finally decided to go to Lisa Williams book signing - only because my sister-in-law said she would go with me. And it was FANTASTIC!

All the stars were aligned perfectly - I got a book even though they were sold out and some really lovely ladies gave us their extra 'first-sign' wrist bands.

When I finally got up to Lisa I was so gob-smacked that I could not think of one thing to say to her. Seriously I was dumb-founded. I was talking while posing for the picture which left me with a stupid picture AND I was so nervous I can't even remember what I had said. I hope it was something nice and meaningful. She was great though - She hugged everyone!

It was such a fortunate and fantastic time I had a hard time falling asleep when I got home.

Today I'm going to spend the day reading :)

The Portal

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:24:00 +0000

Here is a picture of my house when it was bought and before it was restored by Dan's Parents.
Looks kind of spooky doesn't it?

Originally the house was owned by L. Gabrielson and his wife maybe as early as 1937 because we found an old round metal vehicle tag in pristine condition dated 1937 hanging in the basement. I know that they were there until at least 1949 because in the basement, L. wrote his initials on the chimney and dated it. Then the house passed down to their son Sam Gabrielson who lived there until 1967. He is the one that passed away in his easy chair in the living room - At that time he was an old bachelor.

Now, I don't know the exact location of Sam's easy chair but I have a really good idea. It's the South corner of the room - The spot where I always see fairy lights. There is a good chance that because I'm watching TV and this is in my peripheral view there is something going on with my eyes but I seem to think otherwise. And I'm a skeptic by nature.

But the strangest thing that happens in that corner is how my pets react to it. Once Arnie with all his hair on end, barked uncontrollably at that corner. And there are many times when Hannah looks into the adjacent room at the same corner and has her head and tail down. She won't go into the room no matter how much I coax her.

And that's enough proof for me. No matter what the Ghost Hunters say, I will always think there is something 'whoooHooo' about that corner.

Made from Stars

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:07:00 +0000

I've got a weird one for ya today -
I'm having my house investigated for ghosts.

Yes, you read that right.

Through a friend, I know a group of people who investigate houses for paranormal activity and they want to check out my house. I don't think they are going to find anything but it will be a fun experience none the less.

If you know me, then you know that I get into all that 'WoooWooo' kind of stuff. Besides, I have a great house built in 1897 with one known death in the living room. The spot in the living room where I sometimes think I see weird things out of the corner of my eye (and think I should get an eye check up.)

I don't know, but it'll sure be interesting if they do find something - And of course I'll let you know :)

Sleep Comes Down

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:00:00 +0000

After having my ipod for two months I'm still loading music into it. I'm to the point where I pulled out the big box of CD's that is taking up a lot of space in the basement and has all the old music from my youth.

Back when my whole life hinged on music the format for playing music was either LP or cassette. My favorite cassettes were slowly replaced by CD's and now I guess the CD's are being replaced by MP3's.

So, while I was listening to the Psychedelic Furs, I couldn't help but use their song as inspiration for this collage.

Venting

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Sometimes it feels good to vent. Vent as in - you blame everyone except yourself for your problems. I wasn't intending to vent. But I drew this picture of an angry woman and thought, 'that kinda looks like me when I'm having a tantrum.'

Lately my tantrums have been about my weight and the diet I'm currently on. The good news is that I've lost 8 pounds but the bad news is that I'm stuck. I would be doing better but I've lost my motivation to ride my exercise bike when I got a cold (which I'm well over now).

All in all I'm happy with my situation - I'm not gaining, and I am doing something. I just wish that there were no such thing as diets, fat, cellulite, ... self-control - Ha!

Dang! That self-control gets me every time!

Homage

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:34:00 +0000

Illustration Friday : Homage

This is a homage to Jelli. And not having any children he is the closest thing to being my child. It scares me because I sometimes sound like one of those crazy cat ladies and fear even more that in my old age could very well become one of those ladies.

So, I made this with the things that drive me crazy about my little cat. Crazy in the way that I just might never own a cat again...

Oh, who am I fooling? I'm making collages about my cat.

Early Spring

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Illustration Friday:Pet Peeve

The clocks have been turned forward, and the Vernal Equinox has just passed - This is Spring. Yet only a few days ago we got another 8" of snow and another snow system is on the way. This is what I don't like about Spring. Just when you think it's here, you are up to your ears in snow and it feels like winter all over again.

And then there is the whole Equinox thing...

I have a theory about the changing seasons being exceptionally hard on the body. And the older I get the more I can feel it - Mentally and physically. The only thing that doesn't quite make sense is that the Earth is always in a state of movement, so why don't I feel it all the time? Maybe because the Earth is at it's most extreme point?

So anyway, the above picture is my ode to Spring and how it sometimes makes me feel.

And yes, that would qualify as a Pet Peeve - Right?

Me

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:25:00 +0000

Here's the latest collage - Which is also a self-portrait:

"The Earth realm keeps me grounded
While the spiritual realm grabs my attention,
Constantly begging me to listen to their messages
About life."

I originally started this collage with the only intention of making a new avatar. Things just kept rolling though. Now it's about listening to instincts and having faith that everything (in life) is going exactly as it should.

I also took a picture of myself to see if I am as accurate as I think :)

Coffee with Friends

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Kissing Grass Fairy: Garden

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Illustration Friday:Garden

I'm still having a blast making these collages - And I say collages because each item is a separate piece of watercolor. It's the only way I can get a nice uniform background. Then, of course, I use different paint pens and markers.

I was hesitant to do another fairy because I just did one not too long ago. But then I thought 'hey, some people do nothing but fairies' And so I feel a fairy spree coming on. I might do a whole catalog of different fairies!

So, obviously this one is the 'Kissing Grass Fairy' And no, she doesn't kiss the grass. She kisses the feet of passer-byers - Which I find quite repulsive but hey, I'm not a fairy.

Zetti

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:40:00 +0000

I'm really not sure about this collage. I don't dislike it but it just seems so...

Messy!

Don't get me wrong, I love Zettiology collages - They are just so fun to look at. But when it comes to making art I find that I am very rigid. (?) I seem to like clean with bold lines. Maybe I just haven't found my type of Zetti yet.

I haven't given up yet. I'm saving magazine type things to use in my collages. Like the 'One Hanes Place' bra and underwear catalog for arms and legs. Ha! Even funnier, the dark side of me said it would be funny to make a collage using the bras and undies. Perhaps that's more juvenile than dark. (snicker-snicker)

What's really cool though, is that some time ago I bought a blank scrapbook with a wire binder and I haven't done anything with it. Now I am putting all these collages in it.

Days go by...

jelizpierce@comcast.net (Joy Eliz) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:34:00 +0000