wicked fun

Accepting an art challenge based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was a bit scary. I mean, The Wizard of Oz scared the bejeebies outta me as a kid. I really didn't want to dream about crazy flying monkeys at this point in my life. But something inside me said to do it. My DH bought the audiobook so I wouldn't work from my childhood memories. What a story! I was totally engaged within the first hour. My mind whirled with ideas for a piece. Unfortunately, I'm new to most mixed-media techniques, so countless hours were spent experimenting, researching, asking questions, etc. Although my vision constantly changed, I HAD A BLAST! My completed effort is shown here... mixed media (acrylic paint, polymer clay, UTEE (with aluminum beneath), paper) on an 8x8 canvas. My thanks to Mary from Green Woman Creating for sharing instructions for how she made her brown tissue paper tree (I used an old sewing pattern spritzed with walnut ink) and the wonderful group of talented souls at Mixed Media Mischief Makers for hosting the challenge, encouraging me & answering my questions.

http://greenwomandesign.blogspot.com/
http://mixedmediamischiefmakers.blogspot.com/

believe

I came across this quote this morning and it resonated with me. Maybe you'll like it too. It's serendipity I just bought one of those painted wood words at the store yesterday to add to my studio. The word is BELIEVE.

"Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth."
~ Iyanla Vanzant, author & speaker

it's like fertilizer...

Woo-hoo! The March/April edition of Somerset Studio was in the mail box when I arrived home from work today! I can't wait to open it and soak in the beauty within. I won't, however, allow myself that luxury until I finish my current art challenge. I must stay focused. Enjoying the publication will be part of my reward.

Are you like me when it comes to Stampington & Company publications? As much as I want to skip ahead and see what awaits me, I know I'll miss something delightful if I don't read every word and take in every picture. Thus, I've made it a firm rule to never skip ahead.... savor each page as it comes. I keep post-its at hand to mark the pages with thoughts, quotes, pictures that touch me, or websites I want to visit. Devoured publications are stored within arms reach in my studio for inspiration or dreamy blog hopping. It's like fertilizer for my muse to sprinkle about...

challenge: a stimulating task or problem

The last month or so, I've been playing with a challenge for one of the Yahoo groups I'm in, and, well, it's truly been a good challenge & provided lots of learning opportunities (as well as prompted a few bad words here & there). Today I'm back at square one and the clock is ticking. A pal shared a quote to keep me going, which I'd like share too....

"Many of life's failures are men (or women) who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
~ Thomas Edison

Thanks for the challenge, Lab Twins! I'll be hitting it again this weekend.... and will be quite happy with a single.

this will brighten your day....

I haven't posted a YouTube link before, and this one isn't related to creativity or art, but it's just too good not to share. I'm a huge animal lover and when an old friend I haven't seen for a long, long time saw this video this past weekend, she thought of me and forwarded the link (she also knows I love this song).

Enjoy..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco&feature=email

belated valentine

I'm blessed to enjoy good nights of sleep. Last night, however, was one of those rare ones where I tossed & turned (could be that double espresso I tried at the new coffee shop after already enjoying a 1/2 pot of coffee at home (wink)). As I lay there, I recalled the wonderful day I'd spent with my love, and how he generously enabled lots of blog time (the party was great, thanks for letting me play, Soul Journal participants & fellow bloggers!). I thought of some of the words that come to mind when I think about my fantastic husband, and put together this belated valentine.

soaring

Today I'm participating in a blog party ~ my first! Check it out here: http://www.collagediva.com/souljournal/

When a pal shared info about the Soul Journal Party being open to all, I visited the site ~ and soon marked it as a favorite! To participate in today's party, one need only sign up, post something today, then visit other blogs. Who'd turn that down? Today's post could be about anything, but I kept with the bird theme, since I'd just finished making positive artist affirmation cards with birds on them for one of my Yahoo groups.

First I cut soft aluminum, ran it through a Wizard with a Fiskars plate to emboss it, then ran it back through without the Fiskars plate. This flattened the image, yet retained the outline. Next I glued it to lightweight cardboard, dabbed on Adirondack alcohol inks, stamped & cut out the bird, printed & cut out "soar" and attached both using Mod Podge. Last I glued on the little rhinestone and my contact information on the back. The cards will go in the mail today. Now to click "Publish Post" so I can go visit everyone's blogs! I can't wait!

drifting

Ever feel like you're just drifting?

6 x 8 canvas panel, various media, covered with tulle

my first etsy purchase

I'm no longer an etsy virgin (smile). My first etsy purchase arrived today! It's "10 Rules of Life," a colorful, fun print of an original by Tam at http://www.willowing.org/. Yay... it makes me happy....

Cheers!

try

"The next best thing to winning is losing. At least you've been in the race."
~ Nellie Hershey Smith

valentine cards

Valentine's cards are done! All but one of this year's cards (#2) started with images cut on white card stock with a Silhouette. Here's a sampling....

The scan of this first card doesn't pick up the finish, which is the best part of the card IMO. I used Crackle accents by Inkssentials.

The stencil for card #1 was used to make this card. The scan doesn't pick up the glossy dimension on the colored areas of the heart. This really sets the card off. It's Liquid Embossing by All Night Media. Great stuff if you have the time to let it set up (48 hours).

I like how the red marker & brick red ink combination on the white card stock gives it a suede appearance.









Pink is my least favorite color, and this fourth card is about as much pink as I can handle (smile). Thankfully it's muted and somewhat dirty, especially the background.









This last one was the quickest to make. I like the simplicity, as well as the faded denim color.