New Melange Team Slideshow

You can also visit Melange teams members via their blogs posted at the Melange Team Blog.

LOOK OF THE DAY: Yellow days, yellow days

I'm really excited about a new project i'm going to be working on alongside some of Dubai's fashion bloggers.. Streetstyle hunting!! So people of Dubai keep your eyes open for us and our cameras and let us feature you on a brand new blog showcasing our city's best dressed.



I recently got my hands on this bright yellow skirt and i'm just so in love with it, it's definitely something i can see myself wearing over and over again. Oh and i admit i'm addicted to these white oxfords because i have worn them atleast 3 times a week since i got them last month.. what can i say, they just complete the look.






( F21 skirt, Mango tanktop, Vintage belt, Aldo bag, New Look shoes)

Also for some odd reason i kept singing and prancing around to this song all day (hence the stupid poses in the last two photos) <3

It's beginning to get to me...

It's a festive season here in Dubai, but with everyone being on vacation it's kind of impossible to leave the house.. My sister snapped these as i was trying to call a cab, which took about an hour longer than usual.. i still love you Dubai!






(H&M dress, F21 cardigan, Aldo shoes, Fendi bag)

By the way is it just me, or was the Jimmy Choo collection disappointing for anyone else?? i really did look forward to it and then i ended up with NOTHING!! the shoes felt like knock offs and the dresses were slightly overpriced for my liking.. don't know maybe it's best to save up a bit and get the real deal.

You and me are floating on a tidal wave..

I'm loving the weather in Dubai.. it's finally getting colder and i can start pulling out those jackets and boots.. yay :D
I Love cold weather so much.. it's just so more chic than summer, with the scarves and the gloves and pretty tights.. i'm happily welcoming winter into my life!

Me and my little sister went for a coffee and a stroll, i love what she's wearing i'm gonna try to steal those tights off her, they were our mum's when she was young.






(Me: F21 top, H&M lace skirt, Aldo tights, New look shoes, Lindux bag)
(Engy: Vintage denim jacket, F21 lace dress, Aldo scarf, Vintage silver tights, New look shoes, Peacocks bag)

Get your mad hats on the Tim Burton style!!

Me and my friend Olivia were discussing our love of all things Tim Burton, and she came up with an amazing event for us to celebrate the new movie which is out in March, we will dress up as the characters from the movie.. i'm very excited and will probably spend hours from now constructing the perfect costume.

I propose you all join in from all around the world, get your mad hats on, snap a photo and let me see what you would wear!

I think Red Queen is my favorite.. heart on lips?? yes please!

Here's some ideas:

Red Queen


White Queen


Alice


Mad Hatter


Tweedledee and Tweedledum

Woo Hoo! Installation Time!

I just heard that "Prairie Performance" will be installed tomorrow. Filming AND photos will be taken during the process. Now I'm excited and nervous. I cannot think of anything more I could've done or that any vital information about where each panel fits into the whole was left out.
I not only drew diagrams on the back of all twenty-five panels to indicate where each is positioned within the arrangement, but included a sheet with written instructions and a photo marked up with the letter and numeric positions. I've got my fingers and toes crossed.

Click here to read a post about the art collection going into this new hospital. I'm honored and pleased to have made it through that selection process. I'll let you know IF "Prairie Performance" is presented on that link in the near future. Any photos of the installation that are sent to me will get posted here.

Woo Hoo!

Art Made From Repurposed Materials

Art crafted from objects that were once functional in everyday life appeal to my husband and me. Those with a quirkiness and sense of humor are most appealing. A couple of summers ago we found this whimsical character, "Kramer", in a gallery at Grand Lake, Colorado.
This past summer we purchased another piece by the same artist. The oven thermometer says "kitchen art" to us.
Definite art for the kitchen are these two made with measuring cups as their foundation.
I wish my husband would take this neon lighted message seriously more often.This fanciful creature watches over all from the ceiling.

So, what would you call that blue bowling pin?

The "King" pin, of course.

The whole Durand family, members aged 2 to 74, was involved in the creation of this structure during our family reunion a few years ago.
The blue part with the pink bird is the bottom of the drawer that was filled with all those turned pieces I had found for $5 at a garage sale. The "arms" are a pair of wooden salad tongs.

And then there are the brooches I made for my friends out of watch parts.
You won't believe what this artist is creating with nails.

Would you believe this is it?

Note the scale of this piece. There are two people standing at bottom.

This elegant doll from Thailand is made with coins.
One of our favorite art pieces is created by Paula who makes art from salvaged and scavenged materials . The rusted metal part is a railroad plate and the wrapping is cotton string.

Harmony - 6"x 11"

Our older son purchased this clock from Paula. It, too, features one of those railroad plates.
That's Paula of the Self Taught Artist blog. She is presently on a life-changing adventure and making art with a whole bunch of new materials. Click the link above to go to her blog to check out the bone and scrap wood candle tables she recently completed.

Mixed Media Monday ~ I AM WOMAN

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is I AM WOMAN. Running the risk of dating myself, the first thing I thought of was the Helen Reddy song. Although not including "hear me roar," I offer a collage complete with the many attributes of a woman.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

New Melange Team Slideshow

You can also visit Melange teams members via their blogs posted at the Melange Team Blog.

Hey Jimmy you're so fine!!

I'm sitting on the edge of my seat ready to pounce on H&M!!!
On November the 19th Dubai's branches will be launching the Jimmy Choo collection, and i think i just might spend all my savings in one go.






Can't wait, here's hoping things don't sell out before i get there!! Let me know if you grab yourself some of the hot pieces, I'd love to see what everyone picked out <3

Spirit Doll Party

Today our Thursday bee group had a "Spirit" party to reveal the finished spirit dolls. This included each of us contributing to a buffet of yummy things for lunch. The only spirits to drink were teas. Our dolls pinned to a display board was the center piece at the end of the buffet table
At some point I turned them around to take photos of their backsides.
Eight of us participated in this round robin of dressing and decorating individually made dolls from a pattern I had designed. One of them and her owner, Sandy, were unable to be there.

After lunch each of us presented our doll for discussion by the group. The thing that amazed me was that the completed spirit dolls reflected qualities of their owners. That shouldn't be surprising about those of us who have been long time members, but there were a couple of participants who are pretty new to the group. Each of these beauties speaks pretty loudly about their mistress.

Patty's doll

Tone's doll
Melissa's Doll
Judy's Doll
Deb's Doll
Louise's Doll

Nellie's Doll

I don't have red hair, but I've always wished I did. Tone who gave my doll the dyed cheese cloth locks did not know that about me.

Each of these dolls embody the creative spirit of all who have contributed to them. Mine needs one more contribution ... a name. Any ideas? If your suggested name is selected, it will be rewarded with a gift from my creativity.

More Artful Goodness

Imagine my surprise and delight when I found this charming piece of art in my mailbox today. The immensely talented Roberta Baird, whom I have known in blog-land for quite some time, was inspired by one of my collages to create this cutie. What a delightful treat!

Roberta and I were two of many artists involved in an Art Exchange. I had no idea who would wind up with my name on their list, but I am ever so happy that it turned out to be Roberta.

The kindness I have found in the online art world never ceases to amaze me. Folks whom I have never "met" and probably never will, go out of their way to spread sunshine in my life. Thank you, Roberta. I feel truly blessed. Do yourself a favor and visit Roberta's website. She has the most wonderful artwork to share and she is always creating something new.

The collage that inspired Roberta can be found below, and what d'ya know, it's available in my Etsy shop.



Image © Roberta Baird
Collage © Nancy Lefko

Thanks DJ and Stacey

I was one lucky gal the day I won a giveaway at Stacey Merrill's blog. Stacey's blog is a treasure trove of art, information, studio tours, interviews and YES, giveaways.

My prize was this lovely original piece of art created by the talented Dolores Jablonski (DJ.) It is so much more beautiful and vibrant in person and was delivered to me with my choice of mat size and color. DJ, I am immensely grateful for this gorgeous piece of art.

Please do yourself a favor and visit the shops and blogs of these talented gals.

Image © Dolores Jablonski