The Rest is Still Unwritten

Neglectful ME!

2011-04-03T09:03:00.000-04:00

Hi blog fans....I am so sorry it has been so long.
I have been swamped at work and my mind has been racing with so many thoughts and ideas. Let me bring you up to date.

I last left you when I was learning to draw and paint faces to look real. Well I am continuing to practice this skill. I still sketch faces. I have not colored them in yet but I do have a few to work on and can't wait to get going.

Zentangles......addicting.....very, very addicting!!!!
Will post some pictures of what I have been playing around with soon. If you are interested in learning more about this please visit this site.... Tangle Patters
I think it's my new internet home!

Cupcakes...my new sweet treat obsession. Do you know how many cupcake bakeries have opened in the past year around here???? I will be posting about my cupcakes from time to time. I will go anywhere to try a new cupcake bakery but I do have my favorites I keep going back to. Check them out
Cupcake Charlie's and The Duck and Bunny

I've been taking a free Art Journaling workshop series with Strathmore that has been really informative. I am really enjoying and have gotten a lot out of Workshop 2 with Linda Blinn. I'm behind in the lessons but I've watched all her videos and can't wait to find the time to catch up. You can find Workshop 1 and 2 here...
Strathmore

You might start noticing a new twist to my blog. I realize there is a lot I want to write about that is non art related and feel I can't because the people that check in only want to see my art progress....well that is going to stop now. This is my blog and I can fill it with anything I want. My thoughts and ideas are just that. Unfortanately I don't always have the time to get these thoughts into my Art Journal so I will be using this blog as my holding place. If something pops in my head and I can't get to paper I will be posting here until I am ready to journal it.
I also love cooking and trying new recipes....I will be using this blog for these ideas as well. So all you artist friends of mine, if you are not interested in one of my posts....don't read it! Very simple.

Now...what inspired me to come back to my blog again....check out the April project here at the International Fake Journal Month blog site. Fake Journal
Tonight I will be posting the first pages of my International Fake Journal. I just learned about this on March 31 so I am a little behind.
My Journal is being written by a Female Host of a Home Makeover Improvement show. She will be spending the next 30 days exploring the inside/outside and all around my house jotting down improvements and ideas. She will be picking out colors, furniture, accessories. She will be spurcing up the outside as well as the inside and money will be no option. She will explore the feasibility of ideas and figure out estimates. I am so lucky to find someone who will work with me on this. Even if I had to make her up in my mind.

Wow....I am so looking forward to posting more often again.

I did it!!!!

2010-10-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

OMG!!! I did it. I actually did a face and I love it. I still have to finish the background but the paper is getting too wet and starting to fall apart. I still can't believe I actually drew and painted this. Please leave feedback.

Art, Heart and Healing Week-1

2010-10-21T19:11:00.000-04:00

I am taking Tams Art Journal workshop over at The Willowing Ning Group.
In the first lesson we learned to draw faces. Well I'm not much of a drawer let alone draw faces so I bought a new journal for the class and I am starting my lesson. I did a couple of sketches for practice and I'm ready to start....Here are the practice sketches:
1. Face #1

2. And here is Face #2

So I have my supplies out and my journal ready. Video number one is running in the background and I am ready to start.... So here goes with Lesson #1. I'm really excited to be doing this.

The Blank Page:

Way out of the Box

2010-10-03T16:41:00.000-04:00

Welll....I did it! I opened up one of my journals again and did some art. I guess that is what you call this. I was blog surfing (that sounds so much cooler then hopping) this morning and found this link....Creative Revolution and I said to myself, wow...that looks easy enough. I have not opened a journal in over a month. I started with Nudge #1 - cover a page completely with paper and fabric scraps. This is so not me. I am much more methodical. I did it anyways, and I even like it. So, if you are in a creative slump check out Diana Trout's blog for ways to spark up the flame of needing to be creative. ***She is actually up to Nudge #3 but who is counting!!***

This is so busy I am not sure exactly what I will end up doing with it. I hear my gesso calling my name.

Gotta update more!

2010-08-21T13:23:00.007-04:00

Do you remember the background I did a few months back. Scroll down my blog and you will see it. About a month ago I doodled and journaled and now it is done. The idea came from a challenge I saw somewhere but I just can't remember where anymore. That is happening to me more and more when I blog hop. I see things I want to do and just can't find them again but the ideas stay with me forever. I really am going to try to update my blog much more often. I keep saying it but I never do.

I also found a new challenge here - 4 Simple Goals
Looks like something I need to accomplish for myself. I just decorated a new journal cover to work on this in its own space. (Will post when dry)

Here are my goals.....
1. Treat my money more responsibly - I pay my bills and feed my family but I also waste a bit on fun stuff, like lunches I can pack at home or lottery tickets (I'm really not going to hit the big one!). Fun stuff is good once in a while but if I am more careful I'll have the money for things I really want. If I become more proactive with my savings account I promise to treat myself to an online art journaling class come 2011.
2. Menu planning. I use to be real good at this and kind of dropped it. With menu planning comes healthy eating and less junk/processed food in the house. Also, it will alleviate the unnecessary grocery store trips that will hlep in goal #1. My treat to myself by successfully completing this goal is to see some weight loss. Less junk, more healthy meals means losing weight.
3. Day Trips. OK so I already do them, but school is going to be back in session and I am losing my daughter as a playmate because she has a heavy High School schedule. I plan on continuing my day trips even if I have to take them alone. I don't like going places by myself but I have really enjoyed our adventures and don't want to stop. They keep me creatively juiced up. I hope to get out an explore a new city, town, store, bakery....something every weekend. I know that sounds like a lot but I am not one that enjoys sitting home when there are places around I have never been to. Even if it just means jumping in the car and driving down a back road I've never taken.....My reward will be a photo album filled with local flair and adventures I wouldn't deny myself.
4. The Big "O". Get your minds out of the gutter, I'm talking organization. I am a very mentally organized person. I just don't write it down or keep lists which irritates my husband since he doesn't always know what I'm thinking or planning. So to him I have nothing going on but to me, I have everything happening and under control. I guess #4 encompasses all of 1-3 but sharing it all on paper and lists with all who need to know so we are all on the same page and everything runs smoothly. My reward....a happy family....who can ask for anything more!
Hop on over to Elsie's site if you want to join in. I am giving myself the next two weeks to get it all set up and my last 4 months of 2010 will be amazing.
Check back for my regular updates on how it is all going.

Still More Backgrounds

2010-07-11T21:14:00.000-04:00

I worked on two more backgrounds today in my journal. I think if my backgrounds are done and ready to go then maybe I'll actually journal more often. So I now have about 5 pages prepped and ready. Some might stay this way others might have a redo before journaling on them....bur isn't that what its about.

First...for Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team.....Challenge number 42!!! Whooo Hooo...40 more challenges to do and I'm all caught up...LOL!!!
Stripes

This page is not what it started out as. Actually it was done accidentally on purpose.
I started to prep 3 pages with gesso today and sandwiched wax paper between the pages while working on the next. I went to heat dry them and as I opened it up, the gesso and top layer of the paper stuck to the wax paper so I decided to just collage new paper over the base paper, so I covered the spread with some music score papers I had. Then I remembered this challenge, teared so strips of background papers up that I got in a swap and glued them down. dropped some blue paint over the whole thing to blend and found a decorative stamp....and I love the results. Thanks for the challenge Michelle.

Roses: The results of my daughter playing with my papers and markers. As we were sitting in the basement last night she found a sheet of tissue paper with silver roses on it. She took my Bic Markers and colored each rose a different color. Very pretty, but then we turned it over and realized the colored seeped through only where the tissue was, not the silver. The results were a beautiful bed of roses. I told her I would put in on a background so I did! Hope you like it. You never know what the results will be when you just sit down to play.

My bargain for the weekend was a copy of Betty Edwards book, Color, a course in mastering the art of mixing colors. I found this at Borders in a bargain box for $3.99. It's been on my Paperback Swap wish list for a while so I bought it. I think it will be very interesting.

Hope everyone else had a creatively productive weekend.

I'm Back....and hopefully for a long time

2010-07-06T18:58:00.000-04:00

Wow! I can't believe I've been gone for so long. I have some new stuff to show. I actually opened my journal again after oh so long. I was really starting to miss it. I think I was in a creative slump. I am hoping to pull myself through it.
Well here are my new goodies.

1. If you scroll down a couple of posts you will see the start of this page. I actually used this page as the sample for the Tip Ins for Spring which unfortunately I never completed. Sorry for those who take part in the Blissfully Art Journalling Tip In Swap. I just lost my creative umph and just couldn't complete this on time. I am in the process of working on the page with the other background in the older post. I'm loving the way it is developing. I'll post when I am finished.
I just had to journal about my Spring surprise. It was really a shock to find a Tulip on my front lawn having never planted one. I can't wait to see if it returns next year. I really hope it does.

2. New Background
Tell me what you think. this actually started with wiping off my paintbrush. When I was finished I looked at the paper and saw a flower. I used my new dip pen to outline the petals, cut it out and glued it on a page. I'm really excited about this one. I have no idea where it is going but I think the colors are great. I'll probably change the stem when I finish this up but for now it is giving me some direction. I am hoping to do something freally funky with this one....but in the end, who knows.

Once again, I encourage all comments. Good and crtitcal. My growth, although I understand my journal is personal, depends on feedback from others. I welcome it good and bad. Honesty will strengthen my skills and encourage further growth.

Thanks again for looking!

A Million Dollars

2010-05-17T21:20:00.000-04:00

This is a journal page in response to a Daily Prompt over at the Yahoo group I am a member. Check it out at Blissfully Art Journaling . The prompt was if you had a Million Dollars what would you do with it.
The background is watercolored pencil shaded in blocks and then blended all together with water.

Artist Date and Creative Weekend

2010-04-25T20:08:00.000-04:00

I've been on a creative high since Thursday afternoon. I will break down the creativity into snippets of all that happened because I think the long story would probably put you to sleep.

Thursday went from MUNDANE TO MARVELOUS
I started my day as usual at work but chose to take half a day as my daughter had her spring vacation this past week.
As I got home we were pelted with the most amazing hail storm, so we waited it out for an hour before continuing on our way.

Not waiting any longer we drove to the train and went into Boston. By the time we got there the sun was shining. We went to a restaurant right on the harbor where we dined on the deck outside or at least attempted to. Once again we were met by the rain, thunder and lightening were seen in the background. We moved inside. During the rain we looked off into the distance where there was a very faded rainbow. Unfortunately it could not be captured on film.

Following dinner and the rain our adventure took us to the Institute of Contemporary Art. We saw on display the artwork of Roni Horn. You can read about her here: Roni Horn . She had osme very interesting photographs but most intriguing was her photo display all about Water. I loved it.
The second artist displayed was Dr. Lakra. If you are into tattoo art this might interest you. Here is a video clip of an interview with Dr Lakra: Dr. Lakra .

After the museum we decided to return home. Back on the train and home by 9:00pm. What a wonderful afternoon/ evening. I must tell you about the train ride home. On the train was a doctor, or possibly just a hospital worker, either way it was a man in scrubs. During the ride he reached in his backpack and pulled out an envelope with a 4 page hand written note scrawled on regular school notebook paper. I wanted to go over and tell him how lucky he was that someone took the time to actually write him a letter by hand. I remember writing to my friends when I was in High School and college. I only wished now I had saved all those letters.

So that brings us to Saturday -ART AND ADVENTURE

My Saturday started with a Meet Up of the Massachusetts Art Journaling group. What a fun group of women. We meet at a public place and talk, play and art journal for an hour or two. I find this group so inspirational. If you live in the Massachusetts area and wish to check it out, visit us here... Meet Up . You may even have one in our area. Check it out. This meeting we did collaborative journaling. We came to the meeting with a background complete and passed our journal around for everyone to add a little something to it. We brought some supplies with us as well. This is my final journal page.

I forgot to mention I had my daughter with me at the Art Journal Meet Up because afterwards we were off exploring again. Another wonder outing for us. We continued our day in Gloucester Ma, on a Letterbox Adventure. If you've never been Letterboxing you can read about it here: Letterboxing . We went to a new park in a town we've never been to. During our adventure we came across a butterfly that was willing to pose for us....
The route of the hike also took us to a scenic overlook of Cape Ann. The view was breathtaking. The Letterbox adventure we were on included 10 boxes hidden withing the park. We managed to locate 9 of them. By the time we hit number 10 we learned of a special bonus box but I was too tired to continue so we ended our day and continued home.

Sunday was PAJAMA DAY
With all the stimulation of the past few days today I unwound and made myself a new journal. I was so impressed with some of the journals that the women had at the Meet Up meeting I decided to make another one. I started out thinking I would make it like the ones they had with the soft spine and decided as it took shape that I wanted it more like a book. Either way here are the results of today's creative endeavour.

Thank you all for taking the time to look and read. I found this to be such an exciting past few days and my creativity is on the rise. I am so looking forward to playing more in my journals. I am also excited to keep making more. I just love playing with paper.

Try Something New

2010-04-22T13:01:00.001-04:00

I love seeing all the art journal pages with the beautiful backgrounds. I have watched hours of You Tube videos of people painting, gluing, gessoing, coloring, dyeing...the list goes on and on as to what you can do for a background that I decided to go with that approach. This week was a "just practice your background" week. I decided to post the results. Here are the two backgrounds I completed.

I am looking for feedback and critique. It can be what you like about them or what you would change about them. Please be honest with me. I actually think they came out really cool. I was quite pleased. I know what I am using the double page for. The other one is just waiting for something to happen to write about on it. I will post the finished pages as well once I get to that point. I am really loving playing with the different paints and mediums.

I think my favorite supplies right now are paints and printed napkins. There are so many pretty ones out there. That was primarily the focus on the double page spread.
On the single page I started by spraying over a piece of lace trim. I am really digging that look.

Tell me what you are digging right now?????

Color Swatches

2010-04-18T08:23:00.001-04:00

This post was totally inspired by my friend Shay from the Yahoo Group, Blissfully Art Journaling, over at Fall the Flowers.- Art by Any Means and her color encyclopedia.

I too have been known to pull colors from a photo or print that I love and make color swatches. Here is one I did last week after looking at my pictures from my day trip with Jilli to the beach. This photo was actually a picture of Seaweed growing along the shore line by the rocks. After playing with it digitally I came up with this somewhat abstract print. Then I decided the colors are very close to the colors I want to use when I redo my kitchen, so I started to isolate them.

This is what I came up with.

When I was scrapbooking I would do this a lot with my photos to try to figure out what colors I needed to use. I really enjoy this technique when I am unsure of the colors that match or work with a particular photo or image.

Now to gather up all these color ideas and create a journal with them. I think this is a great journaling idea.

Visiting My Blog

2010-04-13T21:01:00.006-04:00

Hi Blogger Friends....I'm back again. The weather has gotten so nice that I took a little side trip two weekends ago and I'm just posting about it now. Here is a little sketch from my first Artist Date of 2010. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like the ocean and a sandy beach, rocks to climb on and great company. Hope you enjoy this.....

It looks like the scan is a little pale. It is a pencil drawing and I added some color with colored pencils. Nothing too fancy. I also digitally enhanced the colors a little so they show up better.

Thanks Stacy!!! My First Blog Award

2010-03-14T13:58:00.000-04:00

Stacy awarded me a Kreativ Blogger award today!
This is so exciting Stacy since it's my first!!! Thanks so much.

Now as part of the award I have to do seven things:

(1)Post the image of the award - done

(2)Thank the person who gave it to me - Thanks Stacy

(3)Link to the person who gave it to me - Stacy

(4)Tell you seven things about myself that you wouldn't know
(5)Choose seven great bloggers to give this award to.

(6)Give a link to their blogs - done

(7)Leave them a message on their blog - done

Seven things about me you wouldn't know.....
1. I like indie music
2. I had a scrapbook page published
3. I will never eat a brussel sprout
4. I am an avid reader
5. I love ducks, I take photos anytime I am near a pond with ducks. Mallards are my favorite.
6. I use to design digital scrapbook kits.
7. Morning is my favorite time of day.

7 Great Bloggers....even though some of you don't know me I love visiting your blogs!!!!

1.Kim
2. Wendy
3. Suzan
4. Michi
5. Ramona

How Cool Is That!

2010-01-28T13:28:00.000-05:00

I took the challange. This is the first of Michelle's challenges I participated in and boy was this fun. From making the snowflakes to then spraying and painting and gluing....all the reasons why I love to journal. OK...so I haven't quite done the journaling yet but I promise....I will. If you have a chance stop over at Michelle Ward's challenge blog and see what she has going on. I've been reading it for years. Who knew actually doing the challenges would bring as much excitement as reading about them. You can find them here.... http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/

Now here is what I did with this challenge...What do you think??? Pretty huh! I just love the way this turned out. I am actually going to stitch it into my coptic journal and add it as a page. I can't wait to see what you all do with this challenge.

Swapping Again

2010-01-18T19:51:00.000-05:00

I decided if I am going to get anything creative done I needed a deadline so I signed up for two swaps this month, both of which are coming to a close very quickly....but I'm ready!!!!

These are both on Yahoo groups that I belong to. Check them out.
1. Arttechniques
This is a postcard swap. I am to make 3 postcards with a heart theme and I'll get 3 back. Here is a sample of the one I made. Each one varies slightly but the overall look is the same. The idea came to me from an article in last years Cloth Paper Scissors Jan/Feb issue. It was a wooden wall hanging that I created using paper. I think these turned out sooooo cute.

2. Blissfully Art Journaling
I am participating in a Tip In. Basically an art journal page that can be added to your journal. I did mine on watercolor paper. Below is the actual page that is in my journal tha I will duplicate for the tip in pages. Once again this is the page with no journaling. I think it might just be me but I think my journaling is just for me so I don't feel comfortable sharing all the words. I don't mind sharing the ideas. Hope nobody minds. The quote on this going around in a circle (In case it is hard to read.) is...Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me. It is my take on finding my inner peace, connecting it to my personal world and seeing how I see my part in world peace.

Go With The Flow

2010-01-10T07:54:00.000-05:00

My newest journal page. When I scanned it I thought it was done but I did go back and actually journal on it. I love the colors and textures on this one. I even like the mistake with the stamping. It just fits the mood of the page.

This was done in response to the prompt by Kim at the Yahoo group, Blissfully Art Journaling. I really love this group and I am enjoying the talent of the members.

Go With The Flow.....it is a statement about my personality and how I approach life. Maybe I should have been a fish!

I Sketched Again

2009-12-22T19:45:00.000-05:00

Here is the result of EDM#4....a cup or mug.
I've been wanting to sketch this mug for a while but somehow when I am using it my sketchbook is not at hand and I am too lazy or tired to go get it. Well, Sunday it was snowy, I wasn't going anywhere so I decided it was a great day for a sketch....and while I was at it I sketched what I use the mug for. Here is what I did...

I am realizing I still need to work on circular objects but I am quite pleased with the results of the tea bag. My mug is not that crooked in real life. I guess it's just my take on it.

Can't Get Enough

2009-11-23T17:29:00.000-05:00

I just finished putting together another Coptic Stitched journal. I am really having fun making these. I'm thinking it really needs something on the cover though.

I love making these myself and picking out papers and deciding what the insides should look like. This one has 6 signatures but I'm thinking this is too much. I also included small pieces of decorative papers that were sewn into the binding. I really like them. They add a nice touch to the pages. They also add a bit of whimsy where you wouldn't expect it.
I think I am going to start selling them or giving them as gifts.
I still have 4 children's book covers to fill up.
Currently these just have cardstock as the pages. Eventually I will make one with watercolor papers. I need to get the right size papers for the book boards that I have.
I am also on the lookout for some heavy lined papers so I can make some writing journals. Any ideas? I'm thinking I'm just going to run some paper through my printer and design the signatures as well.

A Little Late but....DONE!

2009-11-17T16:47:00.000-05:00

My Halloween spread is done....actually if you look at the dates on the pages they've been done for a while. I just don't always get a chance to get at the scanner and desktop unit. I mostly play on my laptop....but .....better late then never.

The orange page was a journaling prompt over at Blissfully Art Journalling Yahoo group I belong to. The accompanying Halloween page was just a short blurb about the pumpkin contest at work. That was my Frosty the Pumpkin....with his beautiful winter attire from the Dollar Tree store. Gotta love it.

EDM - #28 - An Appliance

2009-11-03T18:55:00.001-05:00

I know this is about everyday items but for me I'm thinking this should be called....Every Once in a While Matters. I really wish I could draw more often but the reality of it is...I can't. But...I am learning that every moment free is a good time to pull out that sketch book. Last week I bought myself a pocketbook sized sketchbook and one of those pencil pods with 8 sketch pencils, an eraser (probably need to be replaced soon and I've only used the pencil set twice), a ruler and something else, I can't remember. It's all in a nice little case that also fits in my pocketbook. Now I have no excuse.
Here is the results of today's trip to the laundromat. I am actually surprised at parts of it.

I was reading in a book about how to draw. Here is my tip for the day....

Draw what you see not how you think it should be. That is probably the hardest experience I had today. For instance... the depth of the washer's drum, I know that little circle is in the center if the back and originally that was how I drew it because I knew that was where it went. I then looked closer and realized at the angle I was drawing it didn't belong in the center. Drawing is going to take some reworking of my brain. I am so glad I am giving myself this experience.

My Path

2009-10-26T20:54:00.000-04:00

Blissfully Art Journaling - Today Prompt....16
I loved this prompt. I had the perfect page already in mind. Background was already done just waiting for the perfect inspiration to fill it up.

This made me think of all the choices I have made in my life. Different paths, different directions...The important thing is to be able to live with the choices I have made. I would never have gone any other direction. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Last one of the Day - Today's Work

2009-10-25T21:34:00.000-04:00

I am soooo inspired.
Here are the couple of things I worked on today.

A new sketch... Playing with my watercolor crayons....

And a new art journal entry...

I am now off to fold signatures for my next journal I am making. I bought all the papers at the Paper Source and can't wait to play.

Where to Start

2009-10-25T08:52:00.000-04:00

Dilema number #1.
If you never started a journal before where do you just start the story of your life....?????

My goal was to have my journal ready for my birthday, Oct 16. It was my present to myself. I started with a little note to myself that this was a new beginning....a new year....a fresh start. My first spread is from our family activities the next day. I used a picture from our day trip as the border and love the way this came out. I also started prepping some additional backgrounds. Once again....take a look.

Sketching - Everyday Matters

2009-10-25T08:43:00.000-04:00

I joined yet another Yahoo Group....Everyday Matters.
They have a lists of things to sketch. I decided I would start with number 1. and work my way to number 246....which by the time I get there will be much higher than that. Right now I am only on #3....but proud of myself for starting. I have a separate sketchbook that I am now using just for these sketches. Below are my first three. They are a little hard to see because I am sketching in pencil. Drawing was not one of my strong talents so these are not very professional looking but I feel like everything else......practice makes perfect.

Look What I Did

2009-10-25T08:36:00.000-04:00

Daily journaling has been very difficult for me. Mostly for time reasons and the inner voice that tells me what I say is so not important to anyone. I love art journals though and I am determined to do one. Whether anyone wants to read it or not.

I have many journals I have been playing around in but I decided that I wanted one that would count....my real first art journal. I needed that motivation to do it and just keep going. I found the motivation in creating my own journal. I had bought a set of old law books at a yard sale a couple years ago. I cut off the covers....saved the pages to use the text....and turned it into this.....
Using a tutorial on the internet I taught myself Coptic stitching and now I have a journal made by me.

Signs of Fall In New England

2009-10-10T14:27:00.001-04:00

This has got to be my most favorite season. The crisp cool air, changing colors of the leaves, and most of all apples and fresh apple cider. Last week we took Jillian Apple Picking with a group of her friends. What a great time they all had. I have a half bushel of apples and lots of apple recipes to try. We already whipped up a batch of applesauce in the crock pot. Later this afternoon I will cook an apple upside down cake to take to a party tonight. I really wanted to share some Fall Photos with all my non New England friends out there.

More Photo Editing

2009-10-03T19:22:00.000-04:00

Just finished playing around with another one of the photos. This is a picture I took in the summer of 2006. See what happens when I have nothing to do on a rainy Saturday. This will be the first page of my real first Art Journal....seeing that I've only tried a few techniques but never really worked on one. I think I'll try some image transfer to this as soon as I get a real journal to work in. What a great way to start it.

My newest Digitally altered photo

2009-09-14T20:27:00.000-04:00

I am having so much fun taking pictures and sharing that I just had to post this. I love the way it came out. This is a picture of a rose bud taken in a little rose garden in the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston.

Getting Arboreal

2009-08-26T21:00:00.002-04:00

A very talented artist, Julie Prichard at The Land of Lost Luggage blog is starting this very natural collaborative: Getting Arboreal. People around the world will be sharing pictures of a tree during the changes of seasons. We are starting with Summer. What a better way to celebrate summer than a trip to the beach. I'm lucky that there is a beach/park right down the street from work. So lunch came and off I went with my camera to a trip to the beach. It might have only been a 20 minute trip (It was lunch break after all) but I found some fun trees. The one I plan on using for this project is one that leans out over the sand below. I was curious as the seasons changed if the salt air would have a different effect on the leaves. See my tree below.

New Challenge Blog

2009-08-26T20:52:00.003-04:00

I just came across this new blog starting by Vicki! Like a good challenge???? You've got to sign up for this site. Her challenges are great. Check it out at the website below. You won't be disappointed.

http://saturdayspotlight.blogspot.com/

Book Making and Art Journaling!

2009-08-24T22:07:00.002-04:00

You have got to check out this very cool and talented lady...Julie Prichard. I have been watching her blog for a year now. I love her videos and journal pages and now she is offering online classes...check them out here.

http://lostluggage.typepad.com/the_land_of_lost_luggage/2009/08/win-free-art-journaling-online-workshops.html

I am so signing up for one or possibly both....and so should you!!!!

Art Journal gone Digital

2009-08-23T23:02:00.004-04:00

I actually did a digital journal page. I like the way it came out but I'm not sure I like digital journaling. I took this picture of the flower this morning when I noticed all the rain drops still on the petals. It said....grab your camera and take my picture. So of course I listened.
I don't really like the digital journaling because I don't know what I will do with this page. I much prefer just doing digital collages. Those I can print out and put on a journal cover or note card or something.

Let's Try This Again

2009-08-15T06:50:00.006-04:00

I haven't really done any creating in what feels like forever. My husband got laid off over a year ago and I started working overtime and my crafts and art had to take second stage. Getting started again is very difficult but I am finding that my life is missing something right now. Over the past several months I have played with some digital collage art. Below is an example that I did recently after a day out to the Westport River Winery.

I am hoping to clear off the desk that has gotten cluttered and start playing again. with my paints and papers. I'd like to simply start to art journal again. I just bought the book Taking Flight and I am finding it very inspirational. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend picking up a copy. Thanks all for checking out my blog and I hope you will all help me journal back to what I love to do best.

Digital Challenge

2009-02-06T19:51:00.005-05:00

I made this really cool background using the Feb MAT over at the "arttechniqes" Yahoo group. What a fun technique. I loved playing and spreading the paint around. I can't wait to try this again with some other colors and textures. Here are the results of the background...

The other photo is for the digital challenge using your FEB MAT background. This is what I came up with. The quote is a Chinese Proverb. Hope you like the results. I was pretty happy with it myself.

ONE WORLD ONE HEART

2009-01-25T15:35:00.009-05:00

(ADDED 2/11/09)
AND THE WINNER IS:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
127

Shelley said...
Lovely mixed collage and notecards are so handy....handmade ones just speak "I care" loudly. Thanks for opening this to everyone.
February 2, 2009 4:47 PM

168
L'Hélène said...
Sweet! I hope I win! To contact me, click on my name to visit my blog, then click on profile.
Timestamp: 2009-02-12 03:44:31 UTC

After hitting 545 Blogs today - seeing lots of very talented artists - signing up for lots of giveaways....I decided I needed to throw my art into the ring so to say. Yes 5 hours later and I am totally inspired by all the artwork out there in blog land.

To learn more about the awesome worldwide event visit this link

http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/

The Gypsy Caravan is chugging along with now over 500 passengers

Here is my giveaway...

2 lucky winners will receive 5 note cards each with envelopes of this digital collage made using and original photograph as well as clip art.

Includeded in this package will also be some surprise goodies from my embellishment stash that has never been opened or used.

To win this giveaway package you must leave a comment in the comments below. You do not need to have an active blog but I must have a way to contact you. All comments must be left by 9:00pm on February 11, 2009. I will draw the winning names at 10:00pm and post the winners by 8:00pm February 12. I will make every attempt to get in touch with you. If your name is posted you must contact me within 1 week with your mailing address. If I do not hear from you I will draw a new name. All winners will be selected by use of the Random Number Generator.

I believe I've covered everything. If I've forgotten something please let me know.
Please check out all the talented participants of this event. I am amazed at all the fun stuff artists are giving away.

Barbie Lovers

2009-01-11T10:19:00.002-05:00

For anyone stopping by....If you ever played with Barbie as a girl or knew of someone who loved or still loves Barbie dolls please post a comment here. My daughter is doing a school project and she needs people to take a short questionaire. Please leave your e-mail address in your comments. I will e-mail you the questions if you can e-mail them back to me. Thanks so much for helping out my daughter during this major school project,

Not Posting but Still Creating

2009-01-04T21:19:00.003-05:00

I know it's been a while. I was fooling on the computer this past weekend. I created another piece of digital art. Not really anything special...just playing with some photos and filters and stuff. Here is my latest creation. Inside the bird's eye is a photo of my daughter. I think the overall effect is really cool. I let her choose the background because she was sitting with me at the time.

I also started working on a digital 365 Photo a Day digital journal. Here is my first page...

Basic Grey Giveaway

2008-12-14T17:34:00.002-05:00

Want a chance to get some Free Basic Grey....visit Rica's Blog...
http://ricas-haven.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-candy.html
She has some great Basic Grey stuff she is giving away. I love it!

I'm Back with a new Creation

2008-12-07T17:41:00.002-05:00

I am participating in a Gratitude Postcard Swap. See the details here on Jenn Lui's blog.... http://atrinkettreasury.typepad.com/atrinkettreasury/2008/10/a-gratitude-postcard-swap-invitation.html

I finished 2 of the 5 card fronts today. I'm going to do the other 3 after dinner. We weren't suppose to post them but since each one is a little different I figured I'd show you what I've been working on. I have learned a few new techniques recently that I incorporated into these cards. I also got a chance to play with embossing folders for my Cuttlebug.....Love them.

Sorry for the glare from the flash.

Beauty

2008-11-01T19:38:00.003-04:00

I was inspired by Julie at http://lostluggage.typepad.com/the_land_of_lost_luggage/2008/10/something-about-yesterday.html

and her digital page based on a real journal page that I had to play with my Digital Image Pro.

I started with a photo I took of a background page I created and added parts of a picture I took when on an outing with Jillian. Then I just started adding digital elements until I got this...

New Painting

2008-10-26T16:11:00.003-04:00

I had no idea what I was doing when I started this. It is most likely going to turn into a journaling background. Right now it's not even in a book. I just don't know what to do with these creations.

I started out playing with this background technique.. http://trishbee.co.uk/?p=376 Faux Leather

I used the walnut stain distress ink over the tissue paper and by the time I was done I as seeing this whole autumn tree thing going on. It is done with acrylics on 140lb watercolor paper. I need to add some words and journaling eventually but right now I am just enjoying the fact that I did this. I have a bit of collage going on between the background and the paint at the top of the page.

I find the creases in the tissue paper make it look like a windy fall day and that the leaves should be blowing all around. I'm not sure it is 100% complete at this point. I just know that I need to walk away from it for now.

Message in a Bottle

2008-10-25T22:45:00.003-04:00

I just signed up to participate in "Message in a Bottle". Click on the bottle in my side bar to learn more about it. I am going to need to send two bottles out. If you would like your name and address included to get a bottle of goodies leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can contact you. In order to receive a bottle you must be willing to send 2 out. Please sign up to play along. I am so looking forward to being part of this fun mail art.

Fall Outing and Teenage Daughters

2008-10-18T23:11:00.002-04:00

Let me say that my afternoons with my 14 year old daughter are my favorite times of the week. With a whole week of school and work, I just love the fact that she still loves taking off for an afternoon with her mother. We laugh, talk and just hang together. I hope she feels as lucky to spend the time with me as I do with her. I know these days are numbered but as long as she is still willing to give me the time I'm going to take it. I will cherish each moment of it since in as short 4 years I will be packing her up to send her off to college. I will lose a playmate and a friend.

Now to tell you the source of this digi scrapbook page....Thanks to Christy over at http://averageamericangirl.com/blog/index.php create this beautiful Digital Scrapbook Kit and asked me to try it out for her. I met Christy through The Latest Trends in Mixed Media Yahoo group. I loved this kit. I don't know when she will make it available but when she does you should definitely get a copy. I hope you like it. I really took a lot of liberties with your materials as well as added a few photo embellishments of my own. It was a great kit to work with. I loved the colors. It just worked so well with my Fall Photos.

Colors of Fall

2008-10-13T12:08:00.002-04:00

I created this ATC for the Vintage Fall mingle swap at Altered StArts Yahoo group. I was so excited for this one as Fall is my favorite season. This ATC was created to try to capture the colors that surround you. Although the colors are a sign of decay and death there is something about the chill in the air that I find invigorates me and the colors excite me and bring my soul back to life after a lazy hot summer. I get so excited about the wonders of nature and the beauty that is in the world all around. I hope I was able to capture that feeling for someone else too.

I'd like to thank Annie for posting this technique. I loved it.

Double Saran overstamp Background Technique

2008-10-12T20:15:00.004-04:00

The Artful Mama posted this background technique on her blog.

http://theartfulmama.blogspot.com/2008/09/overstamped-double-saran-wrap.html

Well she is also running a background page swap on the Arttechniques Yahoo Group that I joined so I decided to give this a go. I did the double spray Saran steps and wasn't too excited. To overstamp I brayered cheap acrylic paints over some bubble wrap and layed the sprayed backgrounds on top and gently rubbed. The first ones weren't coming out too well but then after brayering the paint I spritzed it with some water and then layed the cardstock sprayed side down and I love the results. Here are the pictures of the full nine sheets that I did. I can't wait to play with some of the left over pieces that won't be sent off in the swap. This is the first actual multi step technique I tried and I am just loving it. Thank you everyone from Arttechniques who is encouraging me to keep trying my hardest to learn new stuff.

Making Strides

2008-10-05T20:51:00.003-04:00

Today I did a 5 mile walk for Breast Cancer awareness. It felt good to be walking in honor of my good health and good fortune. I was saddened by looking around and seeing young children who have had to deal with the pain and loss of their mothers. I was proud to be seen amongst a strong group of Survivors. Breast Cancer effects so many. It is never too late to give a donation to help fight this terrible disease. Use the link to my page on the American Cancer Society page to give a donation. I hope there is a cure soon so that families do not have to go through such sad times.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TRC/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY09NewEngland?pg=peditor&fr_id=11705&px=8080373

Playing With Digital Art Again....

2008-10-04T21:44:00.002-04:00

I don't know why I get upset when I visit some of my favorite blogs only to find that weeks go by without any updates....I'm guilty as charged.

My daughter an I went on a Fall outing today to take some pictures. We headed up to the New Hampshire border figuring the foliage will be better there then where we are. I was wrong. It's still too early for blooming colors.

Instead I did get a photo of a lonely yellow leaf that has fallen to the ground. I played around with it in Digital Image Pro until it looked like this.....

2008-09-27T18:59:00.002-04:00

Well I finished my collage today. Actually....I'm not sure it's totally finished. I think it still needs something only I do not have any idea where to go with it next.I gave up on the beach theme and went with the sleeping baby. I heard a song by Barenaked Ladies that had the words, "When you dream, what do you dream about?" I immediately thought of my collage and thought, what a great theme. Then while browsing graphicsfairy.com I came across the image of the baby and cherubs and thought that would be perfect. Everything else just kind of happened.Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. I know this is the first collage I've really done on my own and I loved the process but get very frustrated by the details.Overall I like it as a first but I need to keep doing them.

Thanks for looking and commenting.

To learn how to do a collage you can read the file listed on the Yahoo Group - The Latest Trends in Mixed Media. They are a great bunch of art entusiasts.

The Next Page

2008-09-12T20:52:00.004-04:00

Well this page was one of much trepidation. I think I'll be cleaning gold embossing powder out of my carpet for months to come....

I must say after doing the first step I was not in love with this page at all. Here is a photo of how it started out:

I was a little less then pleased. I think I used too much gesso and the brown wash over it left it very dark and not a lot of dimension. I almost didn't want to finish it. Then came the next step to add the gold. Ok...so after I blew gold embossing powder all over everything I was getting totally frustrated. But...it didn't stop there. Next was the heart. So I had 4 options....out of the four, thank goodness for my daughters clay obsession, I actually had sculpty in the house. So I put the clay through to pasta machine and cut out a heart, throw it in the oven and realized I forgot to stamp it. OK back to the clay table. I make another, stamp it and bake it....only got distracted and next thing I know my smoke alarm is beeping. Well my red heart is not slightly charred...that's ok thought. I bring it back to my art table, paint it red again, when the paint dries highlight in gold and wa...la...a heart just the way it should look. I had some yellow dry wall tape so that worked out well, found a quote....used my vinyl letters by Li'l Davis that I've had forever and realized I was short 1 "h". I improvised...can you guess which "h" I improvised on???? Well I must say this was the most fun page I've done yet and the final results were well worth the process....Here it is.....

The quote is hard to read due to the glare from the flash. It says, "true Friendship is seen through the heart not through the eyes"

Page 2 Finished

2008-09-05T13:17:00.004-04:00

OK...so it's almost 2 weeks later and I finally finished. Some personal issues got in the way but I'm back and hoping to get started on page 3 this weekend. I have a little time to myself this weekend. Looking forward to it too.

Here is the finished page 2.....I personally think it is worth the wait!

Here's the Start of Page 2

2008-08-20T13:49:00.001-04:00

I am up to page 2.

I can't wait to see where we are going with this orange and green. I hope they get toned down eventually. My book is hurting my eyes.

I had to give it my own personal touch....I hate straight lines...therefore my stripes are skewed. I love the movement....Hope it works down the line.

It's finished

2008-08-19T18:25:00.003-04:00

The first page of my altered Board Book that is. Now off to tackle page 2 tonight! It took me forever to find a quote that I liked that began with the letter F. I don't know what I was thinking. Then I found this picture doing a google search and fell in love with those faces. It just all fell together. Thanks Trish for the great instructions. I'm really enjoying this. It's just what I needed to get going.

My First Altered Board Book

2008-08-17T09:24:00.008-04:00

So I was at a flea market/ rummage sale at the beginning of the summer and found these cheap kids board books. I knew I wanted to do something with them but not quite sure what yet. While blog hopping one day I found this great tutorial..... check it out.... http://artbuzz.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/12-altered-board-book-project/

I am loving Trish's step by step tutorial. The samples she shows are equally great. I kind of cheated with the first page and read all three steps first so my mind is going as to what I want to do and why. I'm going to try to be better as I move forward because I want to really surprise myself.

Here are my examples of step 1:

So I knew this was the project for me when I went through all my cheap acrylic paints and saw this bottle on the shelf.....check out the color....Cobalt Blue!

So this is Step 1...I'm off to go tackle step 2 now.

UPDATED....

I got step 2 done today too so here is what the page looks like now! I am so happy with the way this is coming out....

A Field Trip

2008-06-15T06:37:00.003-04:00

I did it. Well I didn't actually take my journal but I took a sketchbook that I will be using exclusively for my artist dates. I packed a bag of art supplies, pencils, markers, water soluble crayons and a bottle of water, paintbrushes, and of course my camera. We went to the boardwalk in Fall River MA. Not much of a place but it is peaceful. I also took Jillian....my artist's playmate. We walked around a bit, had some ice cream, put on our MP3 players and sat down to do art. Here is my background. I just want to add some embellishments and it's good to go. It felt good to take my stuff out of the house. I didn't have to rely on memory for colors and ideas. They were right in front of me all the time.

A New Page in my Journal

2008-06-08T09:41:00.004-04:00

I signed up for an Art Journaling Class online. You can read about it here.... http://blog.journalgirl.com/artistic-alchemy-summer-2.html

Our first assignment was to explor our space, our personl space, the space we work in when doing our journals etc. Here is my page about my space and where I do most of my journaling or actually any crafts.

Vintage Photos for Father's Day

2008-06-05T17:15:00.003-04:00

The countdown is on over at Ten Two Studios. Follow this link to vintage photos to be used on all your Father's Day art creations. http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/

ODE to the BIRD

2008-05-22T18:25:00.002-04:00

Here is my newest journal page. It started with some ramblings in my written journal after waking up to the sound of the birds chirping. I thought, how great that is to wake up every morning singing. Then to want to spread your wings and just take off. How many of us wish we could just stay curled up under the covers and do nothing for the day. What a life, to be a bird. Always singing and exploring. That is how I wish to live my life. Not waste it in bed all day. I want to take off and fly!

Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-18T07:51:00.002-04:00

As I wrote in my journal last week - Mother's Day - I reflected on how I have been a mother for 18 years. In the Jewish world 18 is a big significant number. The word for 18 is Chai (with a gutteral ch not like the tea) which in Hebrew means life. I think back on how my life changed 18 years ago with the birth of my first child. Now 18 years late that first child is becoming an adult. Again, a life changing experience for both of us. So now I write -1 week later - that the past 18 years have truly been a celebration. 18 years that I wouldn't change for anything! I am living the LIFE that I have always wanted. The life of a mother!

Digital Art Collage

2008-05-11T10:33:00.004-04:00

Here is my first attempt. I've been taking a lot of nature and architecture pictures lately. Here is my first attempt at merging the two. I love playing with colors and saturation on my computer. I am really loving the results of this.

She.....

2008-03-25T20:45:00.002-04:00

Although SHE has no name, no voice, no journal home...yet...she is my first chix page. I don't know what she is saying yet as I cannot hear her words but I am sure some day she will speak to me.

I got the idea based on Lisa Bebi's article in Somerset Studio. She started as a fashion ad in O Magazine and SHE was transformed into this. I still need to work on the facial features but I have several more models to play with. SHE is my inspiration....now to find out what her message is.

My Power Animal

2008-03-18T17:13:00.002-04:00

I just watched Suzy's new video last week about the Mola. You can check it out here.... http://suziblu.blogspot.com/2008/03/holy-mola.htmlIt got me thinking....as most her videos will....what is my Power Animal?My answer....The Turtle

And here is the finished Page

2008-03-08T14:33:00.001-05:00

So the idea hit me this morning what to do with that beautiful Blue background. Here is the completed page. I remember the picture of the gate that I took and all the snow that day. Well Spring is right around the corner. I played around with the picture in Digital Image Pro and loved the warmth of the yellows with the blue and it dawned on me that with the clocks changing we will have more daylight hours and the snow will melt away and my crocuses should be popping up soon. That was the inspiration behind this page.

My Steps to an art journal entry

2008-03-07T20:27:00.000-05:00

I was reading this blog by Julie called "The Land of Lost Luggage" and she posted a tutorial on how she does her journal pages. I followed her steps and came up with a wonderful page, all ready to go....just staring at me and I cannot think of what to use it for. I am empty of all thought. I just wanted to post my Thanks and Appreciation for showing me your steps and allowing me to just sit and play with my paints and supplies. I know someday this will be the home of a wonderful page but right now I have tons of ideas floating around and I just can't narrow it down to one thought. Check out Julie's tutorials here.... http://lostluggage.typepad.com/

This is my page....just without the journaling for now...that I made using Julie's technique.

Home

2008-02-24T11:16:00.001-05:00

I woke up yesterday morning to a blanket of snow thinking how nice it is to sit in my living room in front of the fireplace. That started me thinking about why I love the fireplace and it led to the following entry in my journal.

I know this is only my third entry but I am not as happy with how this turned out. My daughter says it is because it is really out of my box. I decided that was what happened yesterday and even in the art world not everything will turn out just the way you want. I guess that is what makes this authentic.

It Snowed Today

2008-02-22T21:43:00.000-05:00

And I just had to journal it. I couldn't help but remember that old picture of my brother, sister and myself in the yellow snowsuits. It was the perfect picture for this art journal page. I am loving the art journaling. Playing with paints and glue. I love the collage look. Hope y0u like it too.

I've Only Just Begun

2008-02-21T20:29:00.000-05:00

Here is the premire of my Creative Art Journal. I've spent many hours over the past few days checking out websites, looking into the lives of many artists, all inspired by reading Journal Revolution by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino. This is the start of something new.....My creative side just waiting to explode. I am hoping to involve art and words to make something both interesting to read and look at. I hope you all enjoy it.