COLLAGE MONDAYS

A few weeks ago, Donna Downey started a new phase in her teaching. Collage Monday. This process has actually been a lot of fun and has been quite relaxing... to the point that I lose myself and forget what is going on around me. No pressures... no worries, just cut and glue. There are no mistakes. Try something and if you don't like it... cover it up or don't do it again!!! (I'm laughing!)



Circles punched and stems and leaf cut... out of magazine pages. Flowers (Mini Mums stencil from Crafter's Workshop) are stippled with paint onto Bazzil cardstock and then hand cut. I tried cutting them from magazine paper also, but they just didn't "pop" like I wanted.



A washed background of soft grey watercolor. Flowers are Basic Grey's Sweet Threads. I think I am loving the color Grey as a neutral!

"BEAUTIFUL"

Finally, I can share with you a canvas I made. My daughter-in-law had pregnancy pictures taken and there was one that just stuck out... saying "Create me"! So I decided to give it try. What could I lose? If it didn't work, the next step was the garbage! Well... I surprised myself! I glued, painted, inked, stamped and doodled the background. I hand cut her and the boy out of plain card stock, decoupaged, painted, dressed them, and embellished away.




I decided to give this to Ashley for Ava, my new Grand-daughter. My plan is to teach my grand-children about art. About experimenting with media and expressing themselves creatively.

TIDBITS AND TRINKETS

Today, I finished up the ATC's from last night's meet. For those of you wondering what ATC's are(?), well, Artist Trading Cards. Small file cards like the one's you find in a Rolodex, except these are altered with various types of mediums, trinkets, inks, etc. Just fun, little tidbits to spur creativity and display. Some people actually make multiples of the same card and swap them. I prefer to make one set and keep them for inspiration. The four I made are altered from the original design. (I don't know the name of original credit) Anyhow, I am not going to post pictures of the originals, but my own take on them. You see, I have a "habit" of never following the exact instructions given to me. I prefer to stray "off the road" a bit and make things a little more personalized to me!

CRAYONS

Today was an awesome day. I had an early lunch with the hubby, then it was off to the LSS to crop! Actually, it was OWH day and there was a full house. It was great! I strayed off to finish a project for my Mom and Dad. My original plan was to give it to them in May, when they were here for my son's wedding, but somehow it all got put on the back burner. I'm almost finished, just have to add a few final touches. Check back for pictures of the final........ OK, I'll give you a hint.... it's a ???
Ha-ha.... You'll just have to wait. (smile)
Tonight, we had supper with Matthew, Ashley and Grayson. I haven't seen the little guy in two weeks, since I was sick. It was killing me!!! I just can't get enough of him. I'm hoping for another little person to be added to this ever-growing family, soon! We ate pizza and pineapple and crayons and bread. OH! Did I say "crayons"? Yes, green ones and then we tryed a blue one. Or, at least Grayson did. He tryed to feed Papa a bite..... well.... let's say Papa declined. It would get stuck in his teeth. Hmmmm.... green teeth. Not attractive.

Think happy thoughts.
p

CREATING KEEPSAKES

After taking a workshop at INSPIRE in May, I decided to create a keepsake using the remainder of the kit that Margie had used in her class. I've had this unfinished shadow-box sitting on my shelf for about two years now, not knowing what I wanted to do with it. As I sat at my table working on another project... it was like someone turned on the light in my head. BLING! I knew exacly how I wanted to use this blank treasure I had. It took me a couple weeks to complete, but it was not like I had other projects going on! HA! Too many at once, but I managed to finish this one and I really like how it turned out.

ALTERED FLOWERS

Today I am playing with Alcohol inks and flowers. I had watched one of the Thinking Inking videos by Jennifer McGuire where she made flowers. I used her technique, but the outside piece I turned over so the petals would flare out. I made two of these and attached them together with a glue dot and a toothpick inserted into the center for a stem. I made a little pot out of paper (since I broke my clay pot) and stuffed it with some Spanish moss from my floral stash. This made a cute little fall centerpiece for my desk! I am soooo liking these videos. A lot of new tips to try and I want to try them all! Next are a couple cards I made at a crop for Operation Write Home. Enjoy!