The Artful Diva

It's My Birthday!

2012-02-06T00:00:00.013-05:00

Here I am on the eve of my 65th birthday - I cannot believe that I'm actually on Medicare. Where did the time go?! To celebrate, I bought myself a present - an Intuous 4 tablet. (Just what I needed - another toy!)

I'm determined to develop my Photoshop Elements skills by trying new techniques as often as possible. They say "practice makes perfect". Well, I'll never be perfect, but it's always a thrill to try something new and have it work!

Mouse over photo to see original.

"Cool Grunge" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Who Said You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks....

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Fuel Free Recreation

2012-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

This photo was taken from a kayak on one of the inner coastal canals in Naples, FL. It was great fun, but I admit we were exhausted after 3 hours paddling in the hot sun.

I used Kim Klassen's "Simplicity" texture (multiply at 60%) over top and a frame from Digital Scrapper.

Using this photo as inspiration, I made a small quilt (18x22) using my felting machine and sewing machine. It needed a little something - I added an egret which I created using free motion machine embroidery.

detail

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TP Books...

2012-01-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

This sweet little book was made with bits of paper, ribbon, yarn and toilet paper cores - waste not want not!!

I made quite a few of these books as Christmas gifts for family and friends.

I thought it would take a lot of time to gather enough TP cores to make the books - but we use more TP than I thought because it didn't take long before I had enough to start the project. One thing I discovered is not all TP cores are the same size...different brands...different size!

Flatten the cores, cover with decorative paper (glue on); punch holes on one end. My book contains three "pages". Decorate pages with paint, clip art, lacy paper, etc. I made small cards in Photoshop Elements - with poems or sayings - printed on water color paper; hole punched in center on one end, decorative ribbon threaded through hole. These cards were inserted into the "pages". Tie pages together using yarn or ribbon.

This was a relatively quick project. Consider making one (or more) yourself the next time you need a small gift for someone special.

Linking to:

My Story...

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Texture Tuesday challenge is the word prompt "story".

This seemed an appropriate photo since I'm sitting on top of my mother's sewing machine cabinet. Now as an adult (a much older child really!) I spend my days sitting at my own sewing machine. I remember my mother saying to me (when I was naughty - moi - never!) "There was a little girl, who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid".

I used Kim Klassen's texture "Scripted Edges" over top of a photo of myself as a child. "One Fine Day" frame from Digital Scrapper, font "Junko's Typewriter" and plug-in from Topaz Labs.

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Birds of a Feather...

2012-01-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

A creative photo challenge: mix portions of a photo together, add any Pixie Dust Texture and abstract. I'm not sure if this is what the challenger had in mind, but it's as abstract as I get. I used Pixie Dust's "Soft Swirls" texture, my own bird photo, duplicated the bird, enhanced with a ocean ripple filter.

Linking to:

Pink Saturday

Wide Open...

2012-01-16T00:00:00.002-05:00

This funicular trolley takes one up a steep incline (approximately three blocks) to an upper level of Lisbon, Portugal. The door of the trolley is wide open - go on get in and let's take a look! Up top there are marvelous gardens and cityscape views.

I used Kim Klassen's texture "confidence", frame from Designer Digitals and postage brush over my original photo.

(Mouse over photo to see original)

View from the point where we departed the trolley. Richard chose to ride the trolley down - me - I walked, of course!

Linking to:

Texture Tuesday

Creative Exchange

Katherine's Corner

Shameless Self Promotion...

2012-01-15T12:09:00.000-05:00

My friend, Betty, and I attended the opening reception of the 2012 Florida Artists Exhibition held at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL on Friday night. The exhibition, the fourth annual statewide competition sponsored by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association, awarded a total of $2,000. Dr. Jack King, Professor of Art at the University of Tampa, juried in 42 pieces of artwork from a total of 212 entries. I was surprised and excited to have my fiber art piece "Widow of Kropa" awarded Best of Show.

The artwork in this exhibit is truly outstanding. The other award winners are:

Award of Excellence : Ann Guilliani's "Nocturnal Journey" - monotype
Award of Merit: Jim Carpenter's "Making Present" - acrylic on paper
Lindamood Award: Karen Rose's "The Sentinel" - oil on linen canvas
Honorable Mention: Rory Brennan's "Guiness is Good for You" - photography
Honorabel Mention: Taylor Robenalt's TO Be Buried in Your White Coat" - ceramic
Honorable Mention: William McMahan's "Figure Study" - etching

The show runs until February 8, 2012 at the Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL. I hope you have a chance to go see it.

The Embrace...

2012-01-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

I took this picture somewhere in Spain.

Mouse over photo to see original

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My Jewelry Box...

2012-01-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

I don't have a lot of expensive jewelry - mostly costume stuff - although I do have some beautiful gems my husband has presented me over time. It was all crammed in a small jewelry box on my dresser. I looked around to find something larger, but didn't have much luck. I thought I'd make my own...

I found a 4 drawer chest I liked. Added some wooden wheels as legs; primed, painted, collaged, stamped, etc. I lined the drawers with black velvet. It turned out nicely, don't you think?

Linking with:

Pink Saturday

Creative Exchange

Katherine's Corner

Don't Fence Me In...

2012-01-03T00:00:00.003-05:00

I am having a great time playing with textures! This week's Texture Tuesday challenge - use any of Kim Klassen's textures on a photo. (I used Kim's newest texture "Embrace".)

I took this photo a couple of years ago in the deep south - Alabama!

The frame is from the Coffee Shop Blog

Linking to:

It's a Hodgepodge Friday

coffre des affirmations

2011-12-29T00:00:00.020-05:00

The New Year is looming before me. It's a clean slate and I want to make the most of it. I created this Chest of Affirmations to remind myself to be kind not only to others but to myself as well.

Whenever I feel sad or unsure of myself, I can open a drawer and pick out an affirmation - oh joy!

A base coat of gesso applied to 6 drawer chest then several coats of acrylic paint were applied sanding between coats; rubber stamped around the sides and top. Wings made of a metal Christmas ornament - no easy task separating it into two pieces - but so perfect, don't you think?! (I used Apoxie Sculpt for the first time and really like that stuff.)

The head is needle sculpted cotton t-shirt; alpaca for hair; crown made of paper-fabric and bling.

The drawers are stuffed with plenty of affirmations, ink-jet printed and aged.

This piece is a keeper - I love it so!

-Frames from DesignerDigitals
-Kim Klassen Textures

Linking to:

Pink Saturday
Texture Tuesday
Creative Exchange
Katherine's Corner
What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday
It's a Hodgepodge Friday
Inspire Me Fridays

Oh Christmas Tree...

2011-12-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

I built my own Christmas tree. (Actually I made several and gave them as gifts to dear friends.) It was easy to do and they are adorable.

Drill hole in 2 inch wooden block. Prime, paint and collage block; use E6000 to adhere glass pebbles on bottom of block for feet. Attach assorted bits of paper, book pages, ribbon, lace, candy wrappers and the like on a 16 penny nail. Build up layers and add a topper. I used a swizzle stick I saved from my recent cruise and added a bead. Adhere the nail to the block using E6000 (insert in drilled hole). Wait 24 hours for it to cure and voila! a Christmas tree!

The 12th Day of Christmas

2011-12-23T00:00:00.003-05:00

This recipe may sound a bit odd, but trust me, it is absolutely delicious! The combination of salty and sweet is an unexpected surprise.

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo. (I used Kim's "Lola" texture.)

For more inspiration visit:

The 12 Days of Texture
Katherine's Corner

Pink Saturday

What Christmas Means To Me...

2011-12-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo.

I created a text collage at Wordle.Net and used Kim's new "More Magic" texture over top with screen blend mode.

For more inspiration visit:

Away in the Manger...

2011-12-21T00:00:00.003-05:00

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo.

I added clip art, various filters, blending modes and frame to "Away in the Manger" sheet music. I also used one of Kim's new "Lola" texture.

The Tenth Day of Christmas

For more inspiration visit:

The 9th Day of Christmas

2011-12-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo.

I created a headdress for this darling little girl; added a new background and applied Kim's "wonderful magic stars" texture over top. (Below you will find the photo I started with.)

Some exciting news - I've been given the "Versatile Blogger Award".

It was presented to me by Ann of Ann’s Art StudioHyde - Thank you Ann!

According to the rules, I have to:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers

2. Inform the bloggers of their nomination

3. Share 7 random things about myself

4. Thank the blogger who nominated me

5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award Pic to my blogpost

My random things:

1. I am happily married and the proud mother of a daughter, son and two stepsons

2. I have 7 granddchildren

3. I have run 3 marathons

4. I exercise everyday

5. I spend 6-8 hours at least 6 days a week in my studio

6. I am a self-taught artist

7. I love to talk about, look at and create art!

My 15 nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award are:

1. Kia at Italian Cozy Corner

2. Pat at Bailey Road

3. Leann at The Old Parsonage

4. Hanna at Honi-Soit

5. Marilyn at Studio 274

6. Leovi at La Fotografia Efectista Abstracta

7. Johanna at Mixed Media Fun

8. Alexandra at Wort Schmid

9. Kathyrn at Listening to the Whispers

10. Rosie at Rosie's Art Blog

11. Synnove at Seraphina's Phantasie

12. Dana at Sinderella's Studio

13. LV at Thoughts from Meme's Corner

14. Agnes at Magic of Agnes

15. Kelsie at Our Country Home

Merry Christmas and Happy Blogging!

The 8th Day of Christmas

2011-12-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo.

Photo of a quilt I made entitled "Just Another Day in Paradise". I used Kim's "wonderful magic scripted" texture with screen blend mode.

For more inspiration visit:

A Snowman in Naples

2011-12-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo.

I used various filters on a photo I took of the Naples Pier; built my own snowman in PSE10 and added Kim's "more magic scratched" texture over top.

For more inspiration visit:

Stone Angel Bearing Gifts

2011-12-17T08:03:00.000-05:00

Kim's 12 Days of Texture Challenge - use any one of the new 12 Days of Christmas textures on any photo.

I took the photo in the garden of the Nassau Art Museum (the Bahamas).

What I did:

For more inspiration visit: