HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year to everyone!!! May 2009 be kind and gentle to all of us.

Sunday Morning

I found a challenge site for art media. This week the challenge is to create a piece of art using the very awesome background that was posted. I tried an ATC collage, I wanted more of the background to show, so tried to find elements that would provide balance rather than overpower.

Be Still

I saw a beautiful piece done in the current issue of "Sew" magazine. I knew it would be a perfect gift for my dearest friend. I'm really awful with sewing, so I decided to try to do it all with paper and ink. So "Be Still and Know That I Am God" is done, except to make holes for the hanger and to attach some ribbons and beads at the bottom. I'm happy with the way it turned out

Christmas is Coming

Just a few more days, and a most happy time of year will be here. Many, tho, aren't as fortunate as we and so there are many ways to help out...volunteering, donations and giving a helping hand. Toys for Tots has always been a favorite of mine. I know many of you reading this have shared and given with a generous spirit. So, God bless us, one and all.

An Award

My good and talented friend Sandie gave me this award several days ago...but I'm on a crazy schedule again, between work and running...well, you know how that goes!!! So, I copied this from Sandie's post. It's an explanation of how this wonderful award goes..."This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY -nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."
I always find it hard to list bloggers because there are so many wonderful people out there in blog land. So I will start the list for now with the following blogs.

1. Cat - http://catworx.blogspot.com/ a simply fabulous artist, and I'm awfully glad I know her!

2. Carol - http://spiritsjourneydesigns.blogspot.com/ Carol is a multi media artist and a great friend!

3. Marva - http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/ I think Marva is one of the most talented artists. I love watching her blog.

4. Gail - http://shabbycottagestudio.blogspot.com/ Wonderful...what else can I say?

5. Patty - http://bitze.wordpress.com/ Patty's work is nothing short of mind blowing. Her creations are simply stunning.

6. Peggy - http://wwwpeggysamusement.blogspot.com/ Peggy is one of the most joyful artists and it sure shows in her work.

7. Rachel - http://rachelpcraftyideas.blogspot.com/ Her work is lovely - treat yourself to eye candy.

8. Sandy - http://stempelchaotin.wordpress.com/ I love Sandy's work, I hope you will, too.

9. And of course, back to Sandie http://wwwsandiesanctuary.blogspot.com/, and Edna, too!!! http://wwwedsplace.blogspot.com/

So, thank you so much, Sandie!! I'm thrilled you'd think of me.

Trees

This week's theme at Gothic Arches is Trees. In the scan, my tree, embossed in gold, doesn't show up quite that well. But I loved the background paper. The reindeer is done in Tim Holtz' chunky stickles. It needs adequate drying time, I haven't tried the heat tool, don't think I will...but that's an experiment for another time perhaps.

29 Days of Giveaways

Do you like Giveaways? Well, of course you do! So, I suggest you buzz right over to

http://chrysti.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/29-days-of-giveaways-for-you/


Chrysti's beautiful blog and find out about her giveaway. She's a fantastic artist, and her giveaway is such a generous, wonderful thing to do. So, go ahead...what are you waiting for?

Monkey

I love Moos! The theme at the challenge website is Monkeys...lots of fun! I used a Paper Whimsy digi-background, a bit of specialty paper and my noble chimp. And there is Mr. Wisdom

Theme Thursday

Here's a challenge site I haven't visited before...but when I saw the theme "Santa", I just had to make an ATC for the challenge. Thanks to Patty S., I found her beautiful Santa and her blog led me to "Theme Thursday."

Snow Arch

I kind of missed the deadline for last week's arch posting...so I worked on my Snow Arch today. The stamp is from Rubber Cottage Stamps and it's a barn in the snow. I've glittered it so much, the scan isn't as good as the real arch. I used my granddaughter's colored markers and twinkling H2Os to color the stamp and surrounding arch.

Gothic Arches Celebrate Theme

I'm getting in just under the wire!!!! Here's my little offering!

And Christmas Ornies

Yes! I participated in another Paper Whimsy swap for a Christmas banner swap. We used matboard for our base and each chose an ornament shape (not just a triangle). And we had colors, I joined the Silver and Blue group. I've received 3 gorgeous ornaments already. Mine have been mailed out and I hope my partners like them. I'm posting a few.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here it is...the night before most of us positively, absolutely destroy our diets! LOL! Well, I'm sure lots of people manage to keep their heads and still feel good. I'm cooking...now why did I decide to do that? The last few years we went to Boston Market...their sides are good, but the turkey was quite disappointing. So, FoodNetWork here I came for some different recipes. I like Pumpkin Pie, but my family could do without it. So, I found Paula Deen's pumpkin rum pie, they're cooling on the counter now!

Ok, art...what have I been doing? Well, Paper Whimsy just had a Secret Sister Vintage Treasure Chest swap. That was lots and lots of fun....I'm posting the box top I made for my wonderful secret sister, Rella.

Yuletide for SugarLump

Here's my entry for the contest at Gothic Arches.

Sisters

I made this ATC for an Altered Designs swap. The image is from Paper Whimsy and ever so beautiful...it lent itself perfectly to the theme. The paper I used is Steel Toe Mary Jane, which I love. I found a specialty paper that sparkles and is somewhat transparent, so I cut it around the Mary Jane arch. This has been a really busy week at work. Also had a few doctor things come up and got distracted from doing much art. That's the way it goes sometimes, I guess!

Vintage Child

Gothic Arches theme this week is Vintage Children. I found this sweet image, colored my arch with ink, used Inka's wonderful flourishes and some butterflies colored with a bit of Stickles...and there she was. The G.A. themes are always so very interesting. Kelly Burton is hosting this week's theme and she's got a gem posted! Go see it!

Monday

I haven't had much of a chance to work on my art. I managed to make an ATC for a group I'm in. Have to get ready for work, and I always feel good when I can manage to get some art done during the week. Tomorrow will be a busy day, on many levels. I have to do some training to a diverse group of people and I just don't want to do it. I think I'm wearing out and am ready to retire. Gosh, that sounds nice! Anyway, here's my Angel of Blue

More Halloween!

Gothic arches...I love making them! Here's a Witchy I did for a swap I hosted. I had a great time slapping on paint and then adding elements. Now I wish I had made a second for myself! Maybe I will when the granddaughter goes home this evening. She'll be a witchy, too. I couldn't help but smile when she modeled the boots that complete her costume :o)

Halloween!

I love Halloween! Can't resist decorating the whole house, every year I end up buying new things to put out. Creating art is lots of fun, too! For the "Think Monday ATC" challenge, I'm offering an ATC I made for a swap. I call it "She Waits".

Sunday Postcard

The theme is Marie Antoinette...interesting, eh? I pulled out my Golden paints and just had at it. And Happy Birthday, Mandy!!!

We had our first hard frost last night...my car is covered in a lovely Jack Frost design. And our leaves are beautiful this year. Time for a drive to the Shenandoah this weekend!

Patchwork Paper

Gothic Arches theme this week is Patchwork Paper. Interesting! All of the arches I viewed are stunning! I certainly did a lot of patching with paper to create mine. I found this wonderful picture of 6 men in top hats and I couldn't resist using it in some fashion...well, patchwork paper was the perfect venue for my 6 gentlemen.

Men

Sunday Postcard Art...I decided to try the postcard size, I don't think I've ever given it a go before. The theme is "Men". You know, most of the art done is of women or children. I liked this paper I had...and the theme just seemed to lend itself to it. It was nice having the day off, afforded the opportunity to catch up on art and chores. Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!

Haute Couture

Well, time for a new arch...haute couture. I followed traditional lines, I think...but I have an idea for another arch for this theme, just don't have the time right now (2 a.m....what am I doing up so late? Watching John Wayne's "North to Alaska" - one of my favorites!)

Windy Moon

Here I go trying another challenge. I'm going to post my "Windy Moon" ATC...I smooched around inks for my background and used my finger to create the moon. The stamp has been designed by the late Gwen Frostic - here's her website: http://www.gwenfrostic.com/

I love this stamp...it's so evocative of wild nature, where you learn to be quiet with yourself and just be.

Let's Do Paris!

Oohh La La! I went to Paris to make this week's Gothic Arch. The theme is Turquoise...a perfectly Paris color. I made one arch and it just fell flat on its...side??? Well, tonight Paris came out and surprised me. I enjoyed the piece...it's nice when you don't struggle over a piece. Struggling is ok, from it you learn, but I like when a piece just comes together sweetly, don't you?

Happy October

The air has turned deservedly cool and crisp. The leaves are just barely tipped in red and orange. My busy month at work is over, but October means it starts all over again! Hopefully, although renewing contracts and standing up new ones won't be as time and labor intensive as September. Little by little I'm finding time for art. I just made an ATC and think it's okay. At least I'm creating!

Too Much Work, Too Little Art!

I have been trying to get some art in, but this is the busiest time of the year at work. However, I'm determined to keep up with Gothic Arches simply because it is such a wonderful challenge! This week was anything goes, so I was able to come up with anything! LOL!! I call it "Butterfly" and I hope it's worthy.

Autumn Moo

Do you love autumn? I certainly do...the falling leaves, pumpkins and the crisp, cool weather. It's a wonderful time of year. I found "Make a Moo or Two" and decided I'd participate with one moo...they are very addictive and fun to create. I hope you like it!

Movies!

The theme this week at Gothic Arches is "Movies" - our favorite movies. Boy, I could go on and on, I love the movies. But considering the time of year...with Halloween fast approaching...and the fact that a good old ghost story is shivery any time of year, I went with the first "scary" movie I ever saw. Mom let me watch this when I was about 10 years old. I'm surprised she did, but she sat with me (I think she has a crush on Ray Milland) and we watched "The Uninvited" - one of the best in the business. I hope you enjoy this travel back (way back) in time to a good, old fashioned ghost story!

Time

This week's theme on Gothic Arches is Time. I puzzled over it for a while, but when I found the image of the mom reading to her little girl, I knew exactly what I'd do. I used MyTatteredAngels spray...3 colors that I sprayed on a sponge. I didn't like the effect so I sprayed each one directly on the arch and used the sponge to move the color around. I stamped swirls lightly from Quietfire Designs with Sepia and Gold. I'm happy with it and happy to post it to Gothic Arches.

Javablu Award

My new friend, Ed, gave me the Javablu award. I am so thrilled and happy to get my first blog award! Ed is a fantastic artist I met at Gothic Arches. It's nice to have made her acquitance and I hope we'll be fast friends for a long time! I'm following her artwork and it's quite wonderful. Now, this award has to be passed to five other artists.

I'd like to pass this award to Patty Szymkowicz and her Magpie's Nest blog. I met Patty once a few years ago at a LSS and have so admired her art ever since.

Next to Sandie R. and her Sandie's Sanctuary blog...great lady, great art!

#3 to Lydia and her Kenning Stone blog...I can't say enough about her beautiful art!

#4 to Caryl H. and her gorgeous Caryl's Realm blog. What talent! I really admire Caryl.

#5 I'd like to give back to Ed because she does deserve it!

There are so many others I'd like to pass this to, but that will have to wait. Bravo to my favorite 5!

New Challenge

I'm going to submit an offering to Dans ma maison il y a...ecolier. Wonderful artwork there! So, I did a little house with a handsome young man...

Pink Arch

Today's theme at Gothic Arches is a pink theme. There are some absolutely beautiful arches for this theme. I'm constantly amazed at the gorgeous artwork.

I'm always happy for a challenge. But this time, I found that pink isn't my favorite color. Still, I went for it and created a little girl and some music. I used Grungeboard for the first time, too. I went back to my Delta acrylic colors, found a pink I liked, a little bit of blue and went to work. So, maybe pink isn't that bad. :o)

End of Summer

Labor Day in the United States...a day off from work. Tomorrow the kids go back to school. My granddaughter starts kindergarten! How exciting for her. I sure will call her tomorrow evening and see how her day was. And today is another warm Virginia day.

Gothic Arches is honoring the End of Summer. So, I went to work to create my interpretation of the theme. Hope you like it.

Gothic Arches

This is a website that gives endless pleasure! The artwork is phenomenal. I'm going to post an arch for the first time! The theme is black and white with a touch of red. Mine has some sparkly paper behind the figures, but I don't think it comes out in the scan. I'm nervous because the artists are so terrific, but here goes!

Brilliant

Through an e-mail, I was introduced to a brilliant quote:

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”

The author is Karen Ravn, from the Monterey County Herald.

Is It Autumn Yet?

Am I the only one who won't mind the departure of summer? We could use a rainy day here...I feel so bad for Floridians, so much rain! God bless them all!!!

Well, I was cleaning off a few shelves down in my art room and found something from my former life that may help cool me off...for years, I was a tole painter, or better yet, an artsy fartsy painter. I loved it...I couldn't wait to get home from work and get into whatever project I was painting. Now I feel that way about paper. I thought I'd share a scan of my Rusty Bird.

The Pink Artist Project

Here is a really worthwhile project to fight breast cancer. You'll find all the information you need here: http://girl-gone-thread-wild.blogspot.com/2008/05/pink-artist-drawing-august-1-october-15.html and I hope, very sincerely, that you will do whatever you can to help our sisters fight this miserable cancer. My DIL's mom is fighting breast cancer, it's wicked, but so far she is winning and my prayers are with Patricia.

SOS

Does anyone have a remedy for a pinched nerve and pulled muscle in one's neck? I've been fighting a loosing battle for over a week, and have been living in pain the whole time. Well, I guess it will heal when it's ready to, but in the meantime, life is not happy.

I tried creating a little bit of art. PaperWhimsy's Shoppe had these metal tags that called out to me. Lisa's Altered Art tiny fairies were perfect! So, here's "Dream" (with a sore neck :o)

Gardens

This year my purple and white garden came back. I had Shasta daisies that were as high as my front stairs. When I looked out the door, all I saw was this beautiful layer of white, like a cloud with yellow faces peeking through. And I had my Dame's Rockets. They are really a wild flower, maybe considered a weed, commonly found in the alleys and byways in Illinois...but talk about flourescent purple flowers. I love them. And hydrangeas...my beauties.

"Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes."
Clare Ansberry

So true.

Wednesday Night

Mid August already! Before you know it...no, I won't say it. But I have some friends whose Christmas shopping is already done! I'm too busy trying to make a little art. I had time to make this metal tag. Been a while since I've done anything with metal. I used to love painting on rusty tin. I might have to drag out the paints someday soon...

Bibbidi Boppidi Ball

Doesn't that sound like a fantastic ball to attend? We're creating gowns for it at PaperWhimsy. I decided to create mine out of paper since my sewing skills are less than....well, less than. I can remember long ago, when I was young and foolish, I decided to sew my wedding gown out of this eyelit fabric. I liked the A-lines (just dated myself) and chose a pattern and went to work. I didn't show it to anyone, and actually sewed a decent hem. Finally came the day to model it for my mom and gram....I was so proud of it...and while they thought I did a good, neat job, they thought I looked like a walking curtain. So much for that dress! LOL! Actually the fabric was more suitable for curtains, I was stubborn and wanted what I wanted. Plus I've had other major sewing disasters...fabric and I don't get along.

So back to the ball, when I decided to do a paper dress, I didn't realize how much fun I'd have. After all, I used to love paper dolls when I was a kid, and it just gave my inner child a chance to get out there and play. Hope you like it. I call it the Flower Maiden's gown.

Anne Le Toux Blog

I found Anne on ArtTechniques group...and oh lala! What an artist. Her work never fails to amaze me. Right now, she's celebrating her blogs 6 month anniversary by sponsoring a giveaway. You can see her blog and her fantastic artwork here: http://bullesdorees.blogspot.com/2008/08/cadeau-plein-de-bulles-ou-giveaway.html

Do a favor and treat yourself and have a look.

August

Here it is, August already. Work is really ramping up, so I know finding time for art will be hard and frustrating. But I did play with Golden's fine pumice gel and mixed it with Golden acrylics. First, tho, I did gesso my watercolor paper. That's the recommended thing, and this time, I listened. All I did, with each color, was use a palette knife and slip slap the gel on. I crossed the line on colors, letting them blend a bit. Then I added beads randomly around the picture of the girl. I think I may add some interference acrylic color, tho, to spice it up a bit. But since this was my first attempt with the Fine Pumice, I won't be too hard on myself. I like the Fine Pumice and will use it again.

Contest

I still enjoy making ATCs. There's a contest going on at Altered Designs and yesterday, just before heading out to an appointment, I had an idea for an ATC and created this one I called "Wonder". I enjoyed making it.

Moos

I enjoy making Moos! Paper Whimsy has a monthly swap going on, color driven, and it is a challenge. 1x3 pieces of watercolor paper is what you work on...so you learn to work - thrifty? It's great. I used Tattered Angel spray, layed metallic stars and sprayed away, then let it dry. They acted as a stencil, even tho some of the spray worked its way under the star. That turned out just right. See if you agree.

Too Hot!

Way too hot...or am I spoiled by A/C. Outside it feels like 100 degrees. I guess that's a good reason to stay indoors, isn't it? Ok, I'm a coward, I'd rather hide indoors in the cool....creating art. I did a piece which was way overdue, but since we weren't swapping it out, merely showing it in the group, I was okay. I wonder if the hot sun influenced my use of the color...well, anyway, this little piece honors mothers. It's layered papers, nothing spectacular technique wise. But I enjoyed putting it together.

So, here's to moms and cooler temperatures!

Fantastic Art

Go look at this blog: http://7rosepetalpath.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post.html Her name is Patti and she is a fantastic artist. I didn't know where to look first...I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and there's a giveaway, too!

I received a collage sheet from Paper Whimsy that just blew my mind...I sat down and created something right away. It's a little house shaped ATC for another group I'm in. I really like the images, and it just went together easily. When that happens, it's sweet!

Hot July Day

Sizzle sizzle...we swelter under the July sun. But that's summer! So, I'm busy making art...Moo cards and little houses for a swap. I'm not done with them, but they are a small working area, so I'm trying to structure them well. The arch swap at Paper Whimsy is done and it is glorious! A new project is under way...the Bibbity Bobbity Ball...we have to make ball gowns, about the size of a Barbie dress. Talk about a challenge and a half.

4th of July

Happy 4th! But it looks like the celebration here in the Nation's Capital might be rained out...my son and granddaughter are invited on his boss' boat to view the fireworks, so my son and I have two hamburgers for the grill, now I'm wondering if I should run to the grocery store before it closes! Well, I'm been relaxing and working on arches for a swap held by Paper Whimsy. I'm going to post a few that I did. One technique is by Lisa Bebi. She calls it "paint over". You can read about it in the most recent Stampington Workbook. I enjoyed trying it.

Haircut

No more "longish" hair for me. I'm back to short hair, but it took 3 haircuts to get there! The first came in Oklahoma...nice haircut, with the longish sides. I couldn't handle it, tho. That straightening iron just didn't get along with me, so it was back to using the curling iron...and I was spending a lot of time trying to get my hair right. Ok, 2nd haircut, at Bubbles...came out of there and my DIL said "Gee, mom, there's a picture of your mom, and your hair looks just like that!" I knew the one she was referring to, it was from the 1950s. I like retro - in my art. So, the next day I went to Hair Cuttery and asked Sue to layer my hair, cut it short, no tapered sides...and I came out with a normal, great haircut...with the hot, humid weather and my naturally curly/frizzy hair, this haircut is a relief!!! I wash it, comb it back and go! Yippeee!!!! Freedom! In the meantime, I made some moos! These are blue...hmmm...do I like blue? Not sure.

New Stamps

I ordered some stamps from Stampotique. Lots of fun...I have to share one I did up a few minutes ago.

Rain and Art

Lately, most evenings are spent in the company of thunder (some of it ground shaking), lightening and rain...not just a gentle rain, but buckets full of rain. I needed to get out to run errands, but it helps to see when you are driving. So, home I stayed. I managed to catch the last half of "A Hard Day's Night". Talk about a blast from the past...

But, I did make an ATC the other night for a group I'm in. We needed to use a page from a book for the background. I found this lovely page in my stash and a very faded picture.

A Story about a Mermaid

Penelope was the squires daughter and lived in Little Trembly-by-The-Sea. She loved the children in the village and helped in the school, but her most favorite thing of all was to gather them up and sit on the rocks by the sea and read to them. Little did she know that there was a secret audience listening to her stories. Three mermaids would visit the rocks and happily spend an hour listening to Penelope’s stories.One day a fierce storm blew up out of nowhere, the children were terrified and started to cry. One little girl was so scared, she couldn’t move. Penelope was shepherding the children away from the rocks, when she realized little Gracie was not with the rest of the children. To her horror, she saw Gracie standing on the rock and the angry wind carry her backwards into the sea. There was no one to help Gracie, so Penelope raced to the rocks and dove into the swirling seas. It took her a few minutes to find Gracie, but find her she did. Penelope managed to tow her to the rocks and lift her up to safety. But by this time, the storm had worsened, the waters were so angry. Her dress was heavy and she couldn’t free herself of her buckled shoes. The rocks were very slippery and Penelope couldn’t find purchase, every time she tried to find a fingerhold, her hand slipped. Exhaustion seized her and it was clear the sea wanted her for its own. The mermaids found her floating and could not save her. In their distress, they took her body to Neptune and begged his aid, telling him of their love for this man’s child. While he could not restore her human life, there was a gift he could give her, he could bring her back as a Mermaid. And so Penelope now swims the sea and reads to the mermaids. © Lynell Fox, 14 June 2008

What Do You Prefer?

Years ago, I started painting with oils. Never thought I'd give them up, but I did...for acrylics. I loved tole painting, but then one day I painted on paper and look out...I had always collected paper, I didn't know why, but now I do. It was just the tip of the iceberg for this crazy passion for altered art...but getting back to my original question...what do you like to work with --- oils, acrylics, pencils, watercolors, gouache, oil pastels --- in your altered art. I'm sure there are a few I've missed, but you know what I mean! Or maybe all of them...yeah...why not?

Mighty Cool!

I found a comment from Claudine Hellmuth on my posting on 9 June about my peeled paper background that I worked on. Now how cool is that...she liked it!!!

I'm such a fledgling at trying these techniques, but I did like this one. It was mighty easy to do, the one mistake I made was I used the blue painter's tape, and I think it was too flimsy to tear the vintage paper I used. But if that's all you have, you use several applications of the tape to the same area and it works out.

So, what did I learn? Keep trying! Wow, I'm jazzed!!! Thanks, Claudine!!! What a thrill!

Lynn

Playing

Continuing with the peeled paper technique, I made a simple ATC out of part of the background sheet I created yesterday. I chose the theme of 1940s famous redheads...Susan Hayward, Maureen O'Hara and Lucille Ball. I love those movies, so here's my tip of the hat to them. And I have enough of my background sheet to make more ATCs or other pieces of art.

Lots Going On!

Boy, things do get away from me. Trying to find time for art, but it's hard. Having issues with my lower back, so now I'm going to get the shots in my spine...whooopeee! Do I know how to have fun? Well, in spite of it all, and that includes a nerve block on my left leg...I am making a little bit of art here and there...I tried Claudine Hellmuth's peeled paper technique. I had to work at it a bit, but it came out well. I completed the background, now I'm going to start working on the ATC. So here's the backgroun

Oklahoma

I'm back from Oklahoma. What a surprise...I fell in love with Oklahoma. I remember having preconceived notions about California years ago, and then being overwhelmed by it as we drove across the state...well, the same thing happened as the plane touched down and I saw my son, Barry, and my daughter-in-law, Tammy and my new little Grandson, Gabriel. As we drove to their home, the whole area was just charming...beautiful, fresh, really wonderful....

And little Gabriel is just adorable. He's my snuggle bug. I'm very thrilled and proud of my son's accomplishments and my daughter-in-law, well, I drop the "in-law" part...she's a sweetheart, and if my son ever mistreats her, he knows I'll be after him. She, too, is accomplished...an analyst at Chesapeake Energy. Barry is a horticulturalist. That's pretty cool!

So, I'm making retirement plans. I was at loose ends...but now I've got plans cooking...going to start putting things in motion. Finally...it's good to have a plan! And here's my little Gabriel!

Gabriel

I'm going to Oklahoma soon to see Gabriel. I'm really excited! Tammy and I will find a scrapbook store, too, and work on a special book for our little guy. Can you imagine that? I'm such a nut for paper that even in Oklahoma, I'm going scrapbooking! LOL!! Actually, Tammy started me on it...she made a wedding album for a friend, and I watched in amazement, it turned out beautifully. The seed was planted then, I think. About two years later, I was doing ATCs...and that's that. I have a picture of Gabriel..I hope it will post properly.

Gabriel Riley!

My grandson was born on Earth Day! His dad is a public horticulturalist! Pretty cool, eh? Plus, Gabriel is a Taurus...so is daddy and grandma! LOL! My mom quickly pointed out that meant three bullies! And that I was colicky, as was my son and now let's hope Gabriel breaks that tradition! Time will tell....

Waiting!

April 20th - Today my first grandson is due...but I guess he'll come when he's ready. My son and daughter in law are in Oklahoma. I know Tammy is ready for Gabriel Riley to make his grand entrance. I'll be going out to OK in May, my first visit there. We're all excited! I've been trying to get some art done while waiting, and I'm going to try to start a special book for Gabriel...am thinking of things for it...I'm really not much of a scrapbooker, but maybe now, with two grandchildren, I'd better kick it into gear!

I have gotten into Moo cards. At Paper Whimsy, we're creating Moos by month by color. April is Green, so here are my green Moos!

Creating a Pendant

I tried my hand at making a pendant using a bamboo tile. I wrapped it with a piece of sheet music, brushed it with some ink and found a vintage image I liked. A few small Swarovski crystals and some paper flowers, then the beads...and there's the pendant. Do I want to get into beading...well, that remains to be seen. There's lots of pretty things to make, but I still like paper too much to stray far.

Time Has Gotten Away - Again!

March is almost over and once again I sit here wondering where it went! One thing I did do was request a retirement calculation from my HR at work! While I can retire next May, I doubt I'll do it, but you never know...and the way things have been going, you never do know! I've not had a lot of time for art...have done a little bit. Spring is starting to wake...the Cherry Blossom trees around the Tidal Basin are in full bloom. They look like pink clouds and are simply glorious. In the meantime, I did do a Best Friends lottery contribution for the ArtChix group.

Sunday Afternoon

Daylight savings time...here's to our lost hour! Oh well. Been trying to make art, but lately have been blocked. Don't you just hate that? I think the only thing to do is just to start playing with your materials and darn the consequences. I'm going to post pictures of a neat swap going on at Altered Designs 3x3, 2x3 and 1x1. I used Jacquard glittery watercolors with regular watercolors for my backgrounds and Lisa's Altered Art fairies.

In the meantime, I'm learning to master the digital camera, too! But I think I prefer using film...call me old fashioned.

Shadow Box Project

I belong to several art groups online. Paper Whimsy is one of them. Gale Blair is awfully creative and offers some wonderful goodies in her on-line store of the same name. Her group has some nifty projects going all the time like arches and fairy slippers - now who could resist that? One of the projects I decided to try my hand at was a Paper Doll Shadow Box. I'm not much with a needle, either by machine or by hand. So, I glue a lot...and pray! And so, here is my shadow box...I call it Butterflies and a Pear!

Wonderful Sunday

I spent the day with my wonderful friend, Lena (Bobbi!). I've known her since 1985 when she came to work at Fort Belvoir. She helped me through the difficult days of my divorce and we went through the aches and pains of our two sons growing up and going through tough times. She's my Angel Unaware...always has been and, I'm sure, always will be. She moved up near Baltimore so we hardly get to see one another now, but keep in touch by e-mail, but today, we made up for lost time. She's a fantastic artist...boy, what she can do with a needle is something else...a quilter extraordinaire...and she designed and sewed miniature bears, of which I have a few! We used to do craft shows when I used to do my artsy fartsy painting and they were always great fun. Now, Lena does some beautiful beading...today we sat in Borders and she worked her magic and made me a new keychain. A lovely amethyst piece. Luckily, she brought her camera and asked a lady to take our picture. So, here we are. I'm the redhead and she's the blond. Maybe you can see her wings....

Ice Storms,Migraines and Grayson!

Took me four hours to get home last night! Thankfully, I wasn't driving! And thankfully, I had gone to the bathroom before I left work! What a mess it was out there...tail lights as far as the eye could see. We, here in Northern Virginia, don't handle winter driving very well to begin with. And to add insult to injury, I have had a breakthrough migraine, so it hasn't been a fun few days, but it passes. Now, the wind is blowing and it's chilly as can be! While I was waiting to see the doc, I read "Grayson" by Lynne Cox, her adventure with a baby whale. Awesome true story. She's a world champion swimmer and her writing is absolutely superb. Please read it...it's a fast, beautiful read.

Blast from the Past

Well, here I am again! My friend, Cindy, dropped me a note about her Gothic arch book and said when she got to the last page she got a "blast from the past" when she saw our pictures. So, my neck is safe! LOL!!! I'm happy I created that for her. I have some plans to put together a scrapbook she can use for her grandkids...she takes loads of pictures, so since her birthday will be here soon, I'd best get busy.

I just finished an interesting project for the Paper Whimsy group. Paris Lights Fan Blades. Lovely challenge. I used Structures fan flades by Provo Craft. Paper, glitter, Svarovski gems, lace trim, German scrap, and Paper Whimsy images along with the Eiffel tower in most cases and, viola, my fan blades!

Life's Been Crazy

There's a 4 yr. old in my house and, holy smokes, life is topsy turvy! No time for art, just go go go! I have managed a thing or two...so that's not necessarily true. Working on a special project...fan blades for Paper Whimsy. What a challenge. Of course, I kind of wander away from how a fan is...all similar blades, but that's how I go. Well, I think I here my big kids coming home, so I can get to bed!

Busy! Busy!

I haven't been able to post! My granddaughter has come to stay for a few weeks while her mom is in Viet Nam visiting family and friends, so life is in double time right now. I ordered some needle felting supplies, which I dearly want to try, and I haven't even opened the box yet! Between work and Jessica, there's not a lot of me time, but that's ok, my son and daughter in law are a HUGE help. So, I'm afraid very little in the way of art has gotten done.
Mario Frangoulis, my absolutely favorite tenor, has a new CD out, but I'm going to have to order it through GreekShops...what a voice...do yourself a favor and listen to a sound bite at Amazon.com.
Oh, one thing I did do, my son Barry and I entered the Borders poetry contest. It's being judged by former U.S. Poet Laurette Mark Strand...wohoo! I can't understand why Mary Oliver hasn't been chosen as Poet Laurette, she's got such a wonderful voice. Well, I'm excited!

Family Pride

I just posted the link to my son, Barry's, blog. He's a poet and a horticulturalist. He's been writing and growing things and drawing since he was just a little fellow...the artwork came first. I'll embarrass him by revealing that I have a lot of elementary art in a folder tucked away to show his little boy, Gabriel, when Gabe is old enough to start elementary school himself! Right now, Gabe is waiting...and so are we. I'm sure his mom, Tammy, is singing to him already. She's a darling, I'm a lucky MIL. I just wished I lived closer to those two. I miss them a great deal. Well, it's late, so I guess I'll say goodnight.

Christmas Come and Gone

Doesn't Christmas come too fast and go too soon...or does that mean I'm getting too old? I was looking around for recent pictures of my granddaughter and discovered my son hasn't gotten around to loading them onto the computer yet, but I found the 2006 file and couldn't resist showing her off...she's pretending to be a little angel here in this photo. Sometimes she's not so bad at it!

Happy New Year

2008 is here! Coming from a Polish background, our tradition on New Year's Eve was to eat herring on rye bread, and to have silver (like quarters and dimes) by your plate. Don't ask me the significance, I don't remember! I'll have to google it someday and see what I can find. The herring was never a big thrill for me or my kids and last night, we let it slide. I called mom last night and she reminded me not to give away any change today...the superstition there is you give away your abundance...so leave your pocket change at home today!

I know here in Virginia and deeper South, black eyed peas are the tradition, but I keep forgetting to buy them! Is it too late to go to the grocery store? Oh well...in the meantime, I think I'll just go post some art and perhaps that will be a better tradition! I hope 2008 brings us all peace and joy and good health.