Theme Thursday - Flying

I might win the award for the tiniest wings in this week's challenge. The stamp is one of Paula Best. The tag is inked with Aidrondacks Juniper and looks mighty different in real life. So, here's my offering.

Old and New at 3 Muses

I finally got one done for this challenge. I enjoyed coming up with this one. Hope you like it!

Open Theme at SPA

I was fooling around with my oil pastels, and started adding elements and monkeying around with stamps and stuff...in other words, I threw everything at it but the kitchen sink. That's still safe! Thanks for looking!

No Art, but Cooking Adventures

I used to like to cook, but for the last few years it's become more of a chore. I do like FoodNetwork, tho...and Saturday I caught Ann Burrell's "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" - she was making French Onion Soup and Ham and Mortadella with Provolone and Spicy red pepper sauce sandwiches (phew, try saying that fast three times).

I had never had Mortadella before. I read the reviews and all the folks who made the recipe raved about it. And I love French Onion Soup...so...I printed out the recipes and got the ingredients.

Now, French Onion Soup is labor intensive...you gotta let it simmer for a long time. I cut up 8 onions, and you know what takes the tears out of onions? You freeze them first! I didn't know it. Sure enough...8 onions, no tears!

I didn't know Mortadella was a high end bologna with bits of pistachio and fat in it..but it was pretty tasty. Nice new experience!

So, I spent Sunday cooking all afternoon...but I have to tell you, it was so worth it!!!! Those sandwiches (on ciabatta bread) are so good that you literally want to fall down and worship!!! :o)

Even the hot pepper sauce, I couldn't find Fresno (red) peppers at Wegman's, so had to settle for Anaheim peppers which are green. I figured Anaheim is in California, too, so that would have to do (LOL, one has nothing to do with the other!)

Hmmm...maybe I'll sign up for cooking school!!! LOL!!! But I will say...Ann Burrell knows her stuff!! Wooohoooo!!!

Open Theme at Gothic Arches

12/27/2009 - Here's my offering for the open theme this week. Thanks for looking! Hope you had a grand Christmas!

Gothic Arches Open Theme

Sticking with a Christmas theme, here's my naughty little boy. Wishing everyone here a very Merry Christmas!

SPA - Merry and Bright

To all the wonderful artists here at SPA, I wish you the merriest Christmas, may it truly be warm and wonderful. God bless each and everyone!!!

Theme Thursday - Legs

I found all these lovely images at Sabrina Zanetti's etsy shop. Got to try out my new Tattered Angels glimmer mists, too!!! LOL! Thanks for looking, as always!

WS - Blue and White

Well, on this scanner, it doesn't look quite blue...more blue/green, but everything I used were blue tones. So, here's my tag - snowman is from IBFS and the images from Digital Collage Sheets. Sorry the snowman face can't be seen so well either!

Gothic Arches - Domestic Goddess

The theme sure is interesting. I loved the images I found and couldn't help the one in the bottom left hand corner...we're more than just domestic, I hope!

SPA - Holly and Ivy

I used Tattered Angels glimmer mists for my background and Lisa's Altered Arts adorable kids to answer this week's challenge. Thanks for looking!

Town Crier Slide Mailer

I made several slide mailers for special folks in my life...the 3 pics of the Town Crier are the first I made. Town Crier comes from Altered Pages...and I wish I had made a note where the inside images came from...but I love them all. Thanks for looking!

Theme Thursday - Vintage

Here's my piece. The background is simply a result of me playing with Delta Ceramcoat acrylic paints. Thanks for stopping by!

Three Muses Bottles and Jars

Here's my Princess Snowflake and Her Special Jar. I used Luminarte and MyTatteredAngels glimmer mists for the background. The jar comes from Judith. The snowflakes and flourishes are Clear Stamps. Thanks for coming by...I can't write much because I can't sit at this computer...pulled my bad leg, so normal chairs aren't for me right now!

Think Monday -Think ATC - Lanterns, Lights, etc.

I used the clear stamp old fashioned streetlight on a shiny silver surface...it came out a bit light. The little image of the kids with the house in the distance worked well. Thanks for stopping by!

Gothic Arches - Regal Lady

I used MakingMemories glittered flourishes to help my lady feel as regal as she looks. The ribbon comes from FLights of Fancy. Thanks for looking

SPA - St. Nicholas

What a wonderful theme...on the feast of St. Nicholas, too! I used a beautiful image from TwoWinkies Etsy shop. I used my Moss Green ink pad to color my background. Thanks for looking!

Theme Thursday - Bookmark

I love the image of this fairy. I used MyTatteredAngels glimmer mist for my background, a few flourish stamps, lots of glitter and stars. I'll enjoy using it! Thanks for stopping by...I'd like to see a few more look and offer opinions of my work.

Wednesday's Stamper - Santa

Wonderful, wonderful theme!!!! I've posted my Santa! Thanks for looking.

Three Muses Fun and Games

I haven't played here since my surgery. I'm on tbe mend except for anemia, but c'est la vie! Anyway, I used my acrylics, overpainted them with gesso, then rubbed on some blending chalk. I found this happy little guy who's obviously having fun (maybe I can borrow his wheels and zoom around on my walker!) Thanks for looking!

Image from TwoWinkies

Joan Munro's TwoWinkies Etsy shop has the loveliest image of a little girl. I had to create something with her...I created several things but this tag is my favorite. I found some complimentary blue paper, distressed it, then ran Snow Tex over it for some texture. I used a music sheet and ribbons from Flights of Fancy's shop and made my little "Lovie". I hope you'll like her...let me know what you think!

Sunday Postcard Art - Let It Snow!

Who can resist this theme? Not me! Using sheet music from Optic Illusions and an image from Kym'sArt etsy shops, I put together my postcard.

Theme Thursday - Christmas Theme

I decided to do a tag for Theme Thursday. Hope you like it.

Dans Ma Maison Il Y a....Young Girl

Apologies for not being at this lovely challenge site for a long time, but here's my house featuring a young girl.

Christmas Slide Mailer

I started making some Christmas cards using slide mailers. The images come from Lorraine Beaumont's Etsy shop. I used Brenda Walton's lovely snowflake stickers.

LOTS OF COLOR SKINNY

Theme Thursday is very colorful! I smooshed several ink pads onto my watercolor paper to get colorful. And then, Lisa's Altered Art poppets helped me put it all together. Thanks for looking!

Red-Black-White

Here's my offering for TMTA's theme.

Gothic Arches - Star

I'm back from hip replacement surgery - had an adventure - 7 days instead of 3, 3 pints of blood and a few other "interesting" things I won't mention here. Anyway, I'm having a hard time finding anything creative in life right now, so I decided just to do something...so here's my Star.

Theme Thursday - Faces

I've been mulling over ideas of what to get my mom for Christmas. Of course, she doesn't want anything, and has threatened me if I send her something. So, I decided to do a tag book of my grandmother. She was baptized Anastasia, much to the displeasure of her parents, but the priest wanted her named after a saint instead of simply Stella. But she has always been known as Stella. She had a hard life. The last nine years of her life were spent in the grips of dementia. She passed just over 100 years old. I do remember how lovingly she'd brush mu hair and rub my back (I was the first grandchild). So, I'm offering the first tag of my tribute to "Anastasia" for this theme.

Think Monday - ThinkATC

Here's my little Punkalicious - she's from Stampotique. Haven't been at this blog challenge for a while!

Gothic Arches - Risque

I'm a slowpoke today. My hip replacement surgery is next week Monday, so I'm kind of drifty (with the help of some good pain meds, too!) So here's my attempt at a risque arch. TFL!

Theme Thursday - Winter

Here's my ATC...the woman image is from Magpie Mine. The background, words and snowman come from Keeper of the Nest. Thanks for looking!

Gingerbread

This is my first contribution to the challenge at Winter Wonderland. I did this little piece a while back and I think it's my most favorite piece to date. I've used my favorite Paper Whimsy image and a wooden cutout I painted. Plus the rubber stamps (sorry, can't remember where they're from). But, I hope you'll like it. Thanks!

Three Muses - Hair

When I was born, according to my gram (who always told the truth), a bushel basket was needed to cover a head of kinky red hair. There are no pics of this phenomenon, sorry to say, but I do have natural curly hair that I keep short. If it gets too long, friends call me "Curly Sue". So, I simply had to come up with a piece of art about hair. And it is Halloween time, so guess who gets the nod from me?!?

Twilight at Gothic Arches

Day is done and the sun is setting. Mist fills the meadows and things become a little blurred. As you look out the window, you notice a bit of movement by your Queen's Ann Lace...could it be a dragonfly out late? But there seems to be a bit of glitter or sparkle...what could that be? Are you overtired? There it is again....we can dream, can't we?

Thanks for looking at my arch!

Dans Ma Maison

Here's my house with a key. I used some tissue paper, then used acrylic paints. I overpainted, used a large foam stamp to remove some of the paint to reveal the color underneath.

Theme Thursday - ATC with a Bird

Here's my ATC. I sprayed MyTatteredAngels Olive Vine and Spiced Pumpkin on watercolor paper and smooshed it together with saranwrap. I used the elements from Keeper of the Nest to make this ATC. Thanks for stopping by!

Three Muses - Numerology

I've missed several weeks here :o( I've been in constant pain while waiting for surgery later this month. And I was working from home, which was difficult. So, I decided and was able to retire! Lots of stress is gone...but pain pills don't help me create at all. But I had to participate in this challenge. Bev's art is so gorgeous, I was inspired. I used an Acey Deucey stamp as a mask and Stampers Anonymous Ledger collage. The coloring is all Luminarte. Thanks for looking...

Skull at SPA

Here's my postcard. Handpainted all images. Used Twinkling H2Os on the flowers, unfortunately, it doesn't show up well in the scan. Thanks for looking!

Gothic Arches - Inventors

Ivar Jepson. Who is he??? Well, he's the man who transformed Sunbeam from a manufacturer of sheep shears to one of most household appliances. While the mixmaster had already been invented back in 1885, he refined it and made it an easier appliance to use. Before, it was like an industrial product, even sounding like a big machine. Jepson designed so many products from meatball makers to garden sprinkler. Yet Sunbeam execs trashed most of his documents and files which took Ivar Jepson into undeserved obscurity. So, thank you, Ivar Jepson, for your wonderful designs and inventions...all homemakers certainly appreciate you!

TGIF - White

I haven't participated here for a long while. I made a tag using images from Digital Collage Sheets. I did use bubble wrap to "stamp" white acrylic paint onto the tag, but it doesn't show up at all in the scan. Still, the white challenge is lots of fun.

Wings on Theme Thursday

I'm working on a banner project and thought I'd use one for this theme. I used a favorite paper - Steel Toed Mary Jane - for my background and a favorite Paper Whimsy image. The rest are bits and bobs. So, my Wings - "Fly". Thanks for looking!

Lots to Do - Black, Orange Plus One

I was looking at Yvonne's blog this morning and found a really lovely card she created for this challenge site. I was so charmed with her artwork. I had to give it a try...this is my first time here, so I hope you'll like this and won't mind if I participate! I did add one other color...lime green. Now off to see the artwork at Lots to Do. Thanks so much.

Stripey Legs at SPA!!!

What a blast I had with this little card. Borrowed my granddaughter's watercolors and made my background, then Lisa's Altered Arts contributed my little poppet. A bit of lace, some scrapbook papers to make a house and tree...and Lisa's Altered Arts tiny cupcake to sail across the sky completed it for me. Thanks for looking!

Autumn at Gothic Arches

I used Stampendous leaf stamps to assemble my tribute to Autumn...my favorite time of year.

Theme Thursday - Flourishes

I used MoonlightJourneys image of a woman with one heck of a head of hair. My flourishes were found in a sale bin at Michaels. Thanks for looking!

GYPSY -SPA

Fantastic theme at Sunday Postcard Art - Gypsies. I used images from Keeper of the Nest. Thanks for looking.

Mr. Right at Sunday Postcard Art

What a delightful theme!!! There are some wonderful displays of art for this theme. Hre's my Mr. Right courtesy of Collage Anonymous.

Gothic Arches - Palooza - Card

Talk about under the wire...I'm not sure anyone will even see it, but here is my Merci card.

Sunday Postcard Art - School Days

What a fun theme! I created my postcard with images from Digital Collage Sheets. Colored a bit with my pastel oil crayons. I'm enjoying everyone's wonderful art, too!

Gothic Arches Banner

The third birthday palooza challenge at Gothic Arches is to create an arch within a banner. So, here is my banner to celebrate a 2nd birthday for Gothic Arches!

Gothic Arches Cupcake

Phew...I'm trying, I'm trying to catch up!!!!!!

Theme Thursday - Halloween ATCs

Halloween is just about my most favorite holiday. So, Theme Thursday is right up my alley. I hope you like my little witch.

Gothic Arches Celebrations!

First of all, I've really been neglecting my art and the blog and everyone else! I'm dealing with more woes of old age, I guess. I need hip replacement. No big deal or so I thought. This thing hurts!!! I had no idea how off my game (life) I'd go...I'm working from home because walking can be challenging. Surgery won't happen till 26 October, so life will be very interesting until then. In the meantime, I've fallen behind.

But, Gothic Arches challenge website is two years old and having nifty challenges to celebrate. This one is an arch within a tag challenge. I still am working on my cupcake, but the tag really whetted my appetite. So here's my Paris tag.

Theme Thursday - Quotes

I'm a little late. I have so many quotes, but I rather like this one. The stamp of the girl is from Stampotiques, as are the little houses and the tree in the upper corner. Thanks for looking!

Meet Me in Paris (Gothic Arches)

I colored my arch with oil pastels, and blended them with my fingertip. Then I found some neat pictures and assembled them onto my arch. Thanks for your time and opinions!

Three Muses - Wings on Things

I made a tag using a moon face. I painted a tag, glued pieces of a doilie which probably can't be seen too well, then painted it until I was happy with it. I used Tim Holtz' scroll stamp at the bottom of the tag. So, here's my "Flying by the Light of the Moon".

Another Gothic Arch

After my "shameless" display of my little grandson, I was just playing around with inks and paints, spritzing watercolor paper, dribbling on some Ranger spray wash and then smearing it with walnut ink, wiping it down immediately with a baby wipe. I took some orchid acrylic paint and wiped some on here and there. The image is from a copyright free website and the sprokets are Tim Holtz. This is my Little Boys Arch!

Wonder - Little Boys at Gothic Arches

Last Christmas, a Target photographer took this wonderful picture of my grandson, Gabriel. The theme, well, I couldn't help myself...it seemed just perfect to show off Gabriel. Thanks, Gothic Arches!

Three Muses - Hats

How long has it been since you wore a hat? I can remember going to the Loop in Chicago to a shop in a large building on Madison Ave. and picking out my Easter hat with my mom and aunt. My aunt was the "dresser" of the family...some of her concoctions were the absolute perfection of confections. Feathers, ribbons and pearls, colors divine, veils and frills. She couldn't be outdone as she sashayed her way up the aisle in church. Everyone simply had to notice! So, here's my "tip of the hat" to the lovely theme of HATS! Hats off to all you great artists who bother to take a peek...

Edgar Allen Poe at G.A.

Nevermore....well, here's my tip of the hat to Poe and Gothic Arches. I approached the subject from his Muse...wife (and cousin) Virginia. She died of consumption when she was only 24. It's felt that she was the muse for some of his dark writings. Thanks for looking!

Three Muses - Art in the Round

I missed participating last week, so I really wanted to get my piece done no matter what! I cut out a circle, sprayed it with walnut ink. Then I took a coffee filter and dabbed Apple Spice Luminarte over it. Then I used my new Paperbag stamps and used my new oil pastel crayons (takes some getting used to...) So, here's my round art - Sweet!

Gothic Arches - Vintage Toys

Late again! But here's my arch. The toy blocks come from the Etsy shop of Cemerony.

Purple on Theme Thursday

My little granddaughter's favorite color is purple. So, I'm going to dedicate my4x4 to my Jessica! Thanks for looking!

SPA - Bingo

Bingo - I think I grew up on Bingo and Bunco, although I don't hear too much about the latter anymore. When I think of the smokey church halls, Moose Lodges and school cafeterias I sat in with my aunt and grandmother when I was a kid, it's a wonder second hand smoke didn't do me in! But it was fun, in a way, to see the friendships in those halls. I haven't played bingo in a very long time (the last time was an all nighter on New Years Eve - what an active social life! - and a very fluffy pillow!!!) Creating something about bingo was so much fun! Thanks for the memories!

Theme Thursday 4x4

I haven't been creating much. I have fibromyalgia -I'm sure there are a few out there reading this who share this...condition...with me. In Chinese medicine, having fibro means you have wind in your body. Wind, pain, fog...I really get mad when it hits this hard, I have to struggle through my day, but worst of all, it truly interferes with making art. At least I finished this piece. And now, I'll try to rest as my body says I'd better...and hope that tomorrow is a better art day! Sweet dreams!

Sunday Postcard Art - Fashion

Marie sure set the beam high with her gorgeous Lady in Green...she's beyond the pale! So, here's my little postcard...thanks for looking!

Gothic Arches Bathing Beauties

For my arch, I used a Ramay's vintage bathing beauties image. The sea shells come from A Sunday International Craft product, I embossed them with B'Muse Pale Turquoise, and Moon Glow powders. Then, I used my Twinkling H2Os on the shells, inked and H2Os for the background. Hope you like it! And thanks for looking!

Incredible Journey with 3 Muses

Have you ever worked on a piece and worked on it...had no clear idea what or where you were going with it...only had to keep on going? There were several times I thought about going to the garbage can, but obviously I didn't. The papers are from Marcia Kay's line at Target. Perhaps I should show this one to a shrink? LOL!!!! I think I've been working on it since Wednesday. There was almost a cow in it, but at the last moment common sense prevailed...or did it?

Theme Thursday - ATC

I'm back in Paris! This ATC is made with pieces I had from the Queen's Closet. I used a few pieces of gauze and rubbed some grape ink over it, edged the piece with sepia, grape and gold and it came together quickly. I do like when that happens! Thanks for stopping by.

Think Monday, Think ATC - The Moon

I do like themes involving the moon...so this was a fun challenge. My ATC is stamped and painted by hand. The moon comes from RubberMoon and the heart flowers are the wonderful creations of Paperbag. Great theme!

Gothic Arches - Marie Antoinette

I had ideas about what I wanted to do, but ended up making something else. Have you ever done that? Well, I'm posting it, but I'm hoping I'm going to find time this week to make another one.

SPA - Vintage Children

Today my daughter-in-law was out shopping and found a great antique store. She bought several cab cards and photos that are ideal vintage examples. One of them with three children was just perfect for the subject. I hope I did them justice!

Theme Thursday - Stripes

I do dream about going to Paris. I guess until I do, I'll keep making little pieces of art about it. Theme Thursday wants to us to show our stripes, so I found a few images that I liked and put together my stripes in a tribute to Paris. Thanks for looking

Come Have Word Salad at Three Muses!!!

What a theme, eh??? I love the artwork done for this challenge so far...I love Danny Kaye and he said the most wonderful thing "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it." I knew immediately what I was going to do. Thanks to Lisa's Altered Art and her wonderful children, plus some paintbrushes from 100 Proof Press...I had my 4x4 done without a problem. I hope you like this quote as much as I do! Bless you for looking!

TMTA - Fly

It's been a few weeks since I participated. This was fun....I used a background stamp by BrotherSister, after I used Stargazer Luminarte on watercolor paper. The little fairy is from Red Lead...sorry, I can't remember where the little star comes from (you may notice a hole in the card...supposed to be where her star belongs. Don't know if it comes through well enough). Thanks for a lovely theme, TMTA!

Gothic Arches - Roses (2nd one)

I mentioned in my previous post that I had created a more formal looking arch before I decided on a more playful attempt. Well, here is that formal arch (I didn't throw it out). I don't know if you can see the calendar embossed in gold - it's turned to December. I love the quote "God gives us memory so that we may have roses in December."

Sunday Postcard Art - Fabric

Audrey Hernandez gave us one great challenge - a card done in fabric. Well, sewing is not amongst my strong points trust me. I have a tale to tell about trying to sew my own wedding dress, but perhaps that can wait for another day. I had already chosen a great little image and a rough sewing job would probably be ok...so I went for it! Only stuck myself once! Wooohooo!!! And the result is - Ma! Thanks for looking.

Gothic Arches - Roses

Ever since I came back from OK, I've been really tired and have had a hard time working on anything. So, I tried the Gothic Arches besides Theme Thursday. I missed last Sunday's theme. I made a more formal arch, then decided I didn't like it and tried to play a little bit. Played with watercolor for a background and little bits and pieces to put it together. Thanks for looking.

Theme Thursday

Pink and Brown...great colors. I made a pretty busy tag. The little fairy comes from Lisa's Altered Art. I'm bushed...got back from OK and my little grandson, tomorrow back to work, but still I had to start making some art. A week away...now to get back in the saddle!

Think Monday - Think ATC

I wish I had copied down who shared the technique. I like it. You take watercolor paper, glue stick on pieces of old book pages, then glue stick over the bits and let it dry. Then I laid out 2 lines of paint, brayered through and onto the now dry paper. I wiped off the brayer and with pressure, brayered back over the paint - away from me - removing some of the paint from the bits of pages. It's a resist technique. Once everything is dry, you are ready to rock and roll. TFL!

Three Muses - Up, Up and Away

I love this challenge site...and this is a wonderful theme. Hot air balloons are gorgeous...I found a lovely one at Digital Collage Sheets. Using Delta and Golden paints and inks, I did a lot of dabbing and misting, and more dabbing on the background. And here is my 4x4 "Fly". Thanks for looking.

Wings at Gothic Arches

I love the images...the stage and fairy come from CassisCreations at Etsy. I used stamp ink on the background and gold paint at the top of it. All the while watching Pink Panther (kinda funny).

Sunday Postcard Art - July 4th

All of my elements come from Digital Collage Sheets.

Art Creations Friday

This is the first time I've created something for this challenge site hosted by Wil, Femmy, Hermine and Pepeetje. The image for the challenge is so beautiful. So, I did a 4x4 and enjoyed every minute of creating "Lilly". Thanks for a wonderful challenge!

Theme Thursday - Time

Here's my piece for Theme Thursday's Time. I used an AlphaStamp image, and steel-toed MaryJane paper. I overstamped on the image with a silhouette of flowers, used Ranger Gold to emboss only the darned stuff wouldn't melt. Don't know if powder gets old, but this stuff didn't work well...so I added a little copper and gold foil here and here. The words are small, but they say "Time stood still in her garden".

Three Muses - Wild Things

What a theme - I believe I should go for jungle animals or something like that. But...(oh dear)...I have a Stampotique Originals stamp by Daniel Torrente that I absolutely love. She's definitely a strange little thing, probably a wild little thing, too. I used chalk to color my background, Paper Artsy stamps colored with my granddaughters pens and my little wild thing. I even hand-lettered, probably something I shouldn't do...and here's my "Wild Thing, I Think I Love You".

TMTA - Frog

TMTA's theme is "Frog". I have had a frog stamp that I've had for a while but never used (anyone know what I mean?) So, like wow, I can get it inked up and go...I've been trying to overstamp, create a shadow - but I need more practice...but I stayed with the ATC. I found some black and white checkerboard ribbon and some corrugated black cardstock. I smeared on green, blue (I think it got lost) and a little purple inks. I used the flourish stamp with the little butterflies and used some glitter, and here's my little green guy and he wants you to "Get Happy". Thanks for looking!

SPA - Father's Day

I'm a little late...I was out yesterday at a wine tasting festival. Nice day for Father's Day here...a little breezy. Took my son and his little girl out to eat at Okra's, a Louisiana style restaurant. You know, Father's Day is always hard on me...long ago, when I was 14, my dad died in my arms from a massive coronary. Back then we didn't know anything about CPR, there were no real EMTs, so it really was terrifying. I was going to make a tribute to him, but somehow this was just a hard task. Having two sons who are dads eases the sadness, but even after all of these years, the sadness remains, along with happy memories, it's all mixed together. Anyway I didn't get my postcard assembled until just now. It's made from bits and bobs of things...so I hope you like it!

Gothic Arches - Postcard

Gothic Arches theme is "Postcard" and a rubberstamp. I used images for the postcard...I love the one with the Eiffel Tower. I hope you like it.

Three Muses - Door

Interesting theme, eh? I did a 4x4, used Golden paints, a Tim Holtz stamp and Paper Whimsy images. Thanks for looking!

Beautiful at Theme Thursday

I made a tag for this great theme. The image is from Altered Arts Magazine's strips of images. The background is a doily sprayed with walnut ink and butterscotch spritz. Now if only I could get things straight on the scanner! Wait...let me get the ladder... :o)

Theme Thursday - Flourishes

I'm late! I'm late! Theme Thursday is doing Flourishes. I used background paper from Paper Artsy and Inka's flourishes stamps (what are we going to do now that she's no longer selling her wonderful stamps?) and a happy image...and here's my offering from the theme of Flourishes!

Yellow and Black

Gothic Arches hostess, Nancy James, has given us a great challenge of Yellow and Black. I haven't had a chance to look at the arches done so far, but those I've seen are simply wonderful! I had a hard time deciding which image to use...but finally settled on a Hotel Paris theme.

It was a gorgeous day out today, I spent a little time getting my share of Vitamin D! But then I decided to get busy on my arch. Hope you like it.

Mona in Fur

There's a new challenge blog on the block! Three Muses - Ann, Marie and Bev - brilliant artists all three are running this challenge site. Their first challenge is to alter Mona Lisa. So, I found an art deco lady in furs, and used a collaged background colored with H2Os and a few bits and pieces. So, congrats Muses...here's to great art and lots of fun!

Sunday Postcard Art

Here's my postcard of a vintage bathing beauty. I used tissue paper and origami paper to create the sea. Some fishing net in two corners, and other bits and bobs.

Fairy

Wednesday's Stamper's theme is Fairy! Lovely, magical theme. I made a 4x4 and stamped it. I love the Fiddlehead Fern at the bottom...lots of fun to use. Thanks for looking!

Typesetter's Tray

Somerset Studio magazine had an article and pictures by Lynn Perrella about a typesetter's tray. It has all those nifty sections in it...and I have a best friend I love very much. We've been friends since 4th grade. Well, I don't see her much. She still lives in my hometown of Chicago in our old neighborhood. She collects Eisenberg jewelry, I didn't know what it was, but it's pretty neat. So, I try to find a piece for her for her birthday and Christmas. I blew this past birthday and picked a rather odd looking piece. I could tell from her note that she thought so, too. Gee, I felt so bad, I found another piece! I'm not a great one for wrapping packages, but the minute I saw the typesetter's tray, I knew I had the perfect box for her present. One little cubby would have done it...but I decorated a lot of them, and put her little Eisenberg elephants in it and covered it with piano roll paper. I had an absolute blast! I hope Cindy will like it, too!

Theme Thursday - People Wearing Hats

My lady is wearing a hat and a half! What an elegant time. Thanks for a great theme!

Open Theme at Gothic Arches!

Putting this one together took me a few days. Her name is Mysterie and she's available at DigitalCollageSheets. I used Delta Texture acrylics, Golden paints and plain old Delta paints all mixed together...I didn't measure or take proportions. When it looked good, I stopped and applied it to my arch. Used Perfect Pearls, ribbon, stars and a discarded pendant.

Happy Birthday, Sunday Postcard Art!

One year old...how exciting! This is a fantastic challenge site, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to keep up over the last month or so. Darn! When I peeked in and saw they were celebrating their birthday, I had to make a tribute...I went through 2 tries...and finally came up with this lady to wish SPA a happy birthday. On any day, I really could get my hair to look like hers! :o)

Musical Moo

Music on Make a Moo or Two. I chose a vintage image of a lovely girl sitting at her piano. Used some sheet music colored with chalk for the background, and two little pieces of music with stickles applied.

Tags at Theme Thursday

Ok, kinda cheated...I made this tag a little while ago for no particular reason. Now I have one!! I'm happy to share it with Theme Thursday. I used Luminarte's Spiced Pumpkin to cover (heavily!) the tag. The image comes from Attitudes on Etsy. Buttons and lots of lace scraps finished it off.

Happy at Make a Moo or Two

Irresistable! I'm a bit late, but here's my moo for this challenge. Thanks, it's a great one!

Gothic Arches Garden Sprite

Here's a neat challenge! I found this little fellow on a collage sheet by Gail Schmidt of the Shabby Cottage. The background flower collage is by Journalartz, she has some totally wonderful collage sheets. Tim Holtz stamp finished off the piece and here's my little Garden Sprite!

Numbers

Theme Thursday has a Numbers theme. I used the old ledger stamp...with Ranger ink and My Tattered Angels Olive Vine sprayed on. I found an image I liked and some lace I really like and there it is. Now I have to scoot and get ready for work tomorrow!

Peace on Gothic Arches

What a beautiful theme! I haven't felt a lot of peace lately, so this one was hard to do. Hope it's ok.

Theme Thursday - Masculine

There's a Masculine theme at Theme Thursday. I decided to try going a little abstract, so I used Tim Holtz stamps. I used watercolor paints for the background. H2O for the splatter on the background and that was it.

Little Girl - Gothic Arches

I'm a little late getting my arch done. Mother's Day...ran around all day, to too many stores! But then my sons took me out to a nice dinner at Chevy's Mexican restaurant. My granddaughter and her mom came, too. But the image is a lovely image from Paper Whimsy. I appreciate your looking at it!

Theme Thursday is Dancing!

I decided to use the Dancing theme...and a little music, too. I used the Faux Mother of Pearl technique for my background (technique can be found at Splitcoast stampers blog...sorry, I don't have it handy). And then I used a Can-Can dancer from Itkupilli (I'm using lots of her images lately it seems). A bit of old sheet music at the bottom and the fun Paris stamp.

My son is doing well, thanks! I'm so relieved...can't have a better Mother's Day present, can I?

A Peacock for TMTA

I drew this Peacock, then inked it and used Twinkling H2Os. Hope you like it!

Hats or Crowns

I worked up this little ATC while waiting for news on my son...who had rolled his truck three times while driving to a worksite. Luckily, a tree stopped the roll because 500 yards or so more, there was a rushing river (we had two days worth of rain) and it's likely he would have drowned! The police said from the damage to the truck, he was very lucky to be alive. He is ok...very sore and very worried. But, the only concern is...he's home with his family. Thank God.

Vintage Women

That's the theme at Gothic Arches this week. There are so many gorgeous and touching images...but I chose one that spoke to me this week. I used several papers, inks and paints for the background. I didn't do much to her picture. She's wearing a hat, and there's this look in her eyes that says she's thinking of places far away...so I used the word "Journey" to capture that. Thanks for looking.

Orange for Wednesday Stamper

I love playing with orange. Wednesday Stamper's theme is orange. I played with my orange paints, tried out a new angel stamp from 100 Proof Press...and some fancy scroll stamps. Of course I had to drag out my Twinkling H2Os and jazz up the angel (gee should I have done that? LOL!!) And here is my contribution to the theme. Thanks for looking.

FRUSTRATED TO THE MAX!!!

Ah, the age of electronic gadgets, computers, I-Pods and all that...I'm frustrated to the MAX! I bought an HP C4400 scanner/printer and my son installed it all well and good. Had it for a few months...a bit ago it wouldn't scan, so my son diagnosed, everything seemed in order, so what do you do when the beast won't work? Reboot. Pull out plugs!!! Normally, I have to pull out the plug to get the thing to work. But it's so clever...it will print, but when I try to scan it won't work even with pulling out the plug. Then it will just print a test page! What a waste of ink and paper! So, it's down again...not that I've been creating that much. I'm back at work, you see, and pretty well blocked and stymied.

Can you tell I'm very frustrated? I think I will have to find a new printer/scanner...I'm afraid I'll heave the silly thing out a window...and temptation is very near! If you have suggestions about a good, reasonable printer/scanner, I'd be most grateful!!!

But I've been looking at the art on some of my favorite blogs below...and it's balm to my frustrated soul right now!

Chocolate!

Gimme, gimme!! :o) But chocolate is this week's theme at Gothic Arches. I painted my arch with Dark Brown, Nutmeg, Candelight and Pink acrylics. Then I used the fantastic images from MoonlightStudios, brown lace trim and some gold here and there and there's my arch. And it's so hot here, chocolate wouldn't last long! Or we could eat it with a spoon, I suppose.

Sunday Postcard Art

Pierrot! What an interesting theme. You know, I've always been a little - oh - leery of clowns, especially Pierrot, but yet, the fascination is there. I found some great images at an Etsy Shop called "Itkpilli".I used clear stamps with little jewels, then I added a smidge of glue and shook on some black glitter...on other little jewel circles I added gold glitter. Unfortunately, it doesn't show up on the scan. The little heart is from Paper Whimsy.

Gothic Arches - Home is Where the Heart Is

Another wonderful theme by Aileen! I decided to use Cosmo Cricket's paper, Doc Holliday, because it reminded me of quilts, which is a warm symbol of home. The stamp is by Inkadinkado. I colored it with Twinkling H2Os.

Moo - Home is Where the Heart Is

What a lovely theme! I used a new stamp from I Brake for Stamps...then I used watercolors, copic pens and Twinkling H2Os to color it. I remember an art teacher long ago telling us that the smaller the painting, the more detail it required and she certainly was right!

Glamor Girl

Theme Thursday has a wonderful theme. I've loved this image and just had to use it. I'm not that crazy about the sequin flowers now...maybe it's the scan, but I may try to redo it when I have some time. Still getting over this infection I got from surgery.

Another Open Theme

Gothic Arches has another open theme this week. While this is Easter time, I didn't want to go whole hog...so there is a small rabbit on my arch.

Theme Thursday - Sewing

Here's a nifty, fun theme - Sewing! Lisa's Altered Art has some absolutely darling images that were irresistable! I used Basic Gray's "Porcelain" papers for my background. And I had some shiny silver thread that I wound around the spool haphazardly (I'm good at that!) and around the scissors, too. This little fellow makes the piece, it was so easy!

Gothic Arches - Open Theme

Sky's the limit - or should I say the imagination is the limit? Well, I decided to focus on Marie Antoinette after looking at the scrumptious Stampington magazine "Marie". I had a hard time deciding what image to use, now I have several for my stash. I had gold papers and decided they'd work well...plus some roses that echo the one she's holding, that worked. So, here's my "Marie" for Gothic Arches. Thank you for looking!

Swan Lake - Sunday Postcard Art

This is such a lovely theme! Sunday Postcard Art has so many beautiful pieces of art for this theme! Do take a look. I should tell how I made it...I rubbed blue and pink chalk ink on the 140 lb watercolor stock, then glued on the lovely picture (Digital Collage Sheets to Go on Etsy) . I used jewel flourish stamps with white pigment ink and put dabs of glue on some of the jewel circles, then sprinkled the glitter. I edged the whole card with Ranger Walnut Stain and let it dry for a while. Thanks for looking at it!

Creating!

I worked on a rusty tin tile last night. I just love rusty stuff, so why I didn't try to create something sooner. Well, I must like collecting my crafting goodies! Anyone know what I mean? :o) Back to the subject, I created this little tin with a Radiant Rain dauber of Stargazer (don't you wish Luminarte was not going out of business? Darn!!!) and Paper Whimsy goodies. The little girl is probably my most favorite Whimsy, I use her whenever I can. But the window, butterfly and word are all from the clever, creative Gale Blair, owner of Paper Whimsy and I am very happy with this piece of art. Normally, I criticize myself a lot (no one else does that, do they? No...I didn't think so). But I call my tile "Imagine". Hmmm...imagine that!

Moustache

Think Monday - Think ATC - ok, I'm really late, but I was a little busy this past Monday. But this is such a neat theme, I couldn't miss it. Hope you like him.

Theme Thursday - Paris

Let's go to Paris! Theme Thursday takes us there. For this ATC, I used a Judi-kins stamp for the Eiffel Tower and the word "dream" by Impression Obsession. The card was just a dark brown card which I applied a few coats of gesso. It went together fairly fast.

Canvas

I decided to get brave and work on a canvas. I glued on torn pages from books and sheet music. Then, I rolled on Golden's Yellow Ochre and Nickel Azo Gold. In charcoal, I drew the outline of a bird on a limb with a few leaves. My image is a beautiful Paper Whimsy girl and several other images of stamps and such. The bird button is Debbie Mum's. Some lace in one corner finished it off. And that is finally how I did my first canvas!

Circus

I had knee surgery yesterday, but I've been determined to work on my art while laid up. So, I'm kind of loosey goosey and find myself daydreaming when I should be glueing! As long as I don't touch my hair or other part of me! :o) It's slow going, but that's okay. I made my "Circus" for Theme Thursday with Artistic Outpost stamps and collage sheet. Really nice products!

Life is Good

Sunday Postcard Art has a wonderful theme of "Life is Good". I decided that Life is Good in Paris...and that's how I created my card. Thanks for looking!

Inspired by the Rainbow

This is the splendid theme at Gothic Arches hosted by Cynthia "Rainbow Lady". Two colors from the rainbow, two stamps and one word of inspiration. I chose yellow for the arch and violet ink for the stamps. I had this beautiful image from Alpha Stamps and it seemed perfect for the word I selected "Wish". Thank you for looking.

Moo - Postage

It's been a while since I made a moo for this challenge, but I wanted to try to get at least one done! I used a Penny Black sticker for the stamp and Steel Toe Mary Jane paper as well as My Tattered Angels olive spray. Thanks for looking!

Gothic Arch Spring

Here's my arch for Spring! I used Artistic Outpost stamps (where are they? LOL! Find them and let me know). I painted her dress with Goldens, edged the arch a tad with a pink inkpad Thanks for looking at it!

Orange at Theme Thursday

I haven't had a lot of time for art...lots going on here at home. But, I'm trying...hope you find it ok.

Theme Thursday - Flowers

Another stamp I haven't used much and have had for a long time...3 flowers...I painted swatches of Twinkling H2Os, stamped the flowers and embossed them. I prepared my ATC with gesso, then painted blocks of acrylic colors, a small bit of sheet music was glued on. I used sepia ink to stamp the background flower and glued on my Twinkling H2O flowers.

Gabriel

My little grandson, Gabriel, will be 1 year old next month. I had his sweet little image and started playing. I used an acrylic called "Patina" for the coin envie and used teal ink for the tag. I stamped all kinds of words about babies and then promptly covered it with the coin envie! :o) I afixed gold German scrap wings to Gabe, added a little crown and used a funny little stamp on the envie that I couldn't resist buying. I'll send it to my DIL, who is an absolute love herself, along with the million presents I bought for him and hope she likes it.

Africa

Sunday Postcard Art's host is Femmy and her theme is Africa. I didn't think I'd participate until I remembered this stamp I've had for years of 3 giraffes. I used Golden Paints to create a background, stamped my giraffes with Dee Gruenig's color blocks and used gel medium to attach. I had some very old alpha stickers that I never used...you know how you intend to, but then get away from it...so here's my contribution to Africa...and thanks, Femmy! Your card is awesome!

Gothic Arches Mother and Child

What a sweet theme! I ordered some stamps from I Brake for Stamps, never have used their stamps before. They are really nice products! The mom and child and the heart are theirs. I used Twinkling H2Os and created my arch.

Friday, Gray Day

The day started off with snow spitting from the sky, swirling to the point of obliterating the road. But it also was above freezing so the roads were wet instead of icy. That's a good thing! Hours later it's just gray and chilly. I should be making art, but I'm worn out...did my pre-op stuff today, so it's not been a busy day like the last few weeks. Work is positively horrible...I'm going to make a big change in a few months, but in the meantime, I've got to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I'm sure I have lots of company.

I just wanted to share a piece I did for a game in the Altered Designs group. Haven't done too much art, and that hurts. Will try to change that.

Theme Thursday...Nests

Ok, first time here, I think...but I just had to try this challenge!

A Fairy for Gothic Arches

Fantasy is the theme this week at Gothic Arches. I have seen all the fantastic artwork, so mine may be a bit calm for the theme, but I had two rubber stamps I hadn't used yet. The theme lent itself to what I had, so I used embossing, Lumienarte paints, Golden paint, even Deco Art acrylic and some glitter for my Fairy arch.

Audrey Hepburn!

TMTA has chosen a totally awesome theme...you can't go wrong with Audrey Hepburn. Her beauty makes making art easy. I actually started it at work! First time I've done that...but darn, I wanted a lunch break! Anyway, enough of that...I simply love this picture of Audrey...what a long, elegant neck! I say that because I'm a Taurus...and boy, do I ever resemble the bull...not much of a neck! LOL!! So, here's my offering on the theme of the eternal beauty of Audrey Hepburn!

Pink and Brown

Kelly Burton has given us the Pink and Brown challenge at Gothic Arches. You must go and see her gorgeous arch!!! So, I worked on my arch last night and this morning (snow day! Yaay!!) Happy that you're looking at it.

Tea Time

Gothic Arches theme is Tea Time. What a lovely subject! I'd take a cuppa over coffee anyday...and usually do. But that's beside the point. I was happy with this theme, the only problem was I couldn't come up with something I liked. This is my third arch. Has that ever happened to you? Block, block, block! Think that would make a good theme? Yikes, I just gave myself shivers! I threw some acrylic paint on an arch (with scraps of music glued on), then took saran wrap and smeared it around. There's some lace covered with blue and brown inks. But wow, Thursday night, and I'm finally satisfied!

TMTA

A new week at TMTA brings the challenge of the letter E. I had just received a few stamps from Teesha Moore's website...one was Einstein. How was that for great timing? I playing with my copic markers (aren't they great?) and golden paints...the background postage sheet comes from Flights of Fancy. Perhaps it's a little rough, but I had a good time putting it together, and that's what it's all about, isn't it?

Jewels

Jewels - ah, lovely jewels! This is the theme at Dans Ma Maison Il Ya this week. I made a narrow house, painted it with acrylics, used some scrap and jewels interspersed, some more acrylics and a gorgeous image (do forgive me, I can't recall from where she comes) and there it is. Hope you like it!

TMTA - Rooftops

TMTA's theme this week is "Rooftops of the World" - so I broke out the only rubber stamp I have and my watercolors and had a lot of fun. Gorgeous artwork at the challenge site...so see!

Mardi Gras at Gothic Arches

At first, I didn't know if I'd participate, but then I found myself coating watercolor paper with gesso, then Golden irridescent fine gold, Nickel Azo Gold, copper and some silver, then I covered it all with black gesso and rubbed some off before it dried. I put on my image and began applying glitter...there's glitter at the top, around the figure, on her and around the Happy Mardi Gras words. And last but not least, the feathers at the top. And viola, there's the arch I didn't think would happen

Love at Dans Ma Maison Il Ya

The theme at Dans Ma Maison Il Ya is Love. I decided to make an irregular shaped house and painted it with texture acrylics. I hope you like it.

Dream in Hearts

Here's my offering for a challenge to use hearts in a different way. This attractive lady is wearing wings which are hearts. I sprayed the background with My Tattered Angels - Terra Cotta, Olive and Walnut Gold. The stamp is from the Tim Holtz collection...meant to be stitches, but I think it serves well for kisses, too.

Hearts

I really do enjoy the weekly challenge at Gothic Arches. There are so many outstanding artists there, I find myself really challenged to keep up and create pieces that I'm proud of...I started one arch that I thought I had some good ideas to create, but as I did, I really didn't care much for it. I have some lovely images from Alpha Stamps, so here's the arch I finally came up with. And now, I'm off to bed!

Theme Thursday

Here's a new challenge site I found and decided I would see if I could do something for it. I sprayed watercolor paper with walnut ink, then used My Tattered Angels Walnut Gold to give it some shine. I just like glitter! :o) The stamp is from Stampers Anonymous and the figure and rose are from an old collage sheet - I just didn't have anyplace to use it...but it was perfect here! German scrap in white and purple became my border and I was done.

Circles

Sunday Postcard Art's theme is circles. I used my favorite Paper Whimsy image and made my circles with acrylic paints.

Tag

Gayle Page Robak is the hostess at Gothic Arches this week and she gave us a challenge of a tag on our arch. I used stamp pad inks, just slip slapped them on, some stamps and then the tag was sprayed with Vintage Pink from My Tattered Angels and copper was used with the stamp, except for the word "Fly" and the crow...black marker courtesy of my granddaughter.

Vintage Romance

Make a Moo or Two has a lovely theme this week of vintage romance. Gorgeous pictures of lovely women in beautiful, long gowns, hair piled on top of their heads, and gentlemen so handsome in their tux...those were the days...or were they?

Think Monday - ATC

Icy Blue! And it's so icy outside that the theme is wonderfully appropriate! I used a ledger stamp, a handsome little fairy, a scroll stamp overstamped with white and then a lighter blue, and a small joy charm. Fun theme!

Gothic Arches - Winter Sports

What an interesting theme. I've always loved ice skating (even tho I can't stand up for more than 2 minutes), I love it from the couch! So, I had to use it as my theme. Hope you like it.

One Scary Place

The challenge site "Make a Moo or Two" has a theme of "Buildings". I rambled around for a while trying to come up with something and I found my Halloween folder and there was this great house...some ink, charcoal birds (or are they bats?) and here is my "Building" for "Make a Moo or Two".

Dolly

This week's theme at Dans ma maison il y a is Dolls...I created one that I hope will please. There's always such beautiful art there, I'm amazed everytime I visit.

Gold

The theme on Dans ma maison il y a is du dore...or gold...what a wonderful challenge and what wonderful artwork! It was irresistable and I worked on my Golden House. I love Golden's colors, so that's what I used. Also used some golden skeleton leaves and some gold waste. The label and the vintage woman (I just love her face, reminds me of photos of my mom when she was young) come from Diva d'este...great collage sheet source, and fine art on that site, too.

Moo - Circles

Okie dokie...it just so happened I had this scrapbook paper that worked for this theme. I only made one, tho! Thanks for looking!

Turquoise

I played around with this theme...the first try simply didn't please me. I love the color, yet it gave me nothing but problems. Isn't that how things go from time to time?

Gypsy at Gothic Arches

I painted my arch with a few Golden colors and found a picture of an original gypsy wagon, and a gypsy woman with a face that tells her whole life. I used some flourishes and german scrap to finish it off. And I'm using a new scanner/printer! Mine gave up the ghost two days ago. There could have been (but wasn't) a foot of snow on the ground and I would have gone out to get a new one...is that desperate or what? LOL!

In Dusty Girl's Garden

Grunge...Gothic Arches theme this week is all about grunge. I have a funny little stamp that I just love, but not a lot of people seem to share my feelings about her. Oh well...I decided to use her in the grunge theme (wonder why?) So, here's my creation - I call it "In Dusty Girl's Garden".

Think Monday - Think ATC

Really cool theme...cowboys with lassoes...lots of fun to think up just the right thing, find the right kind of picture. During my search, I came across a really fun saying about cowboys that I had to use. So, here's my take on the theme of cowboys with lassoes

Gothic Arches New Year

Wahoo!!! Gothic Arches is back in action with a theme of New Year...so I have made a little arch for the theme. I hope you like it!