Opportunity Knocks!

Here it is - 2011!  A new year without a blemish on it.  I made a resolution to journal more often (daily - I doubt it) and to lose 5 lbs.!  It's out with the old and in with the new.  Here are my first efforts in my journal endeavor.

An original drawing on journal page

Inkjet print of one of my drawings glued to journal page

The most unexpected and awful news just arrived.  I can't share yet - too painful.  I'm hoping by the time I post next, the news will be good and I will be happy again!  Right now I'm singing the blues and feel really low...

and I'm still working on the 5lbs!!

For more inspiration, go to Pink Saturday.

Endless Possibilities...

I wanted to make a special card for my husband.  We'll be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in January.  The time has flown by!

There are a lot of different ways to make an endless card.  This is what I did.  140 lb. cold press water color paper cut into 4 pieces each measuring 3 x 6 inches.  Each piece was scored with bone folder 1-1/2 inches in from the long side.  (Bend on these score lines going back to front for ease in handling later.)  On two of these pieces, the center point was marked (left drawing) and butted up to each other.  Glue was put on each of the four outer corners.  The remaining two pieces (right side) were placed over top of the glued pieces - in the opposite directions - keep all edges even.  Let dry.

Now the fun begins.  Using water soluble paint sticks, each side of the card was painted; stamped with acrylic ink and/or paint

First side

Card opened - then painted

Card opened - then painted

Card closed - then flipped over and painted

(Keep opening and/or flipping card until all sides are painted)

Embellish the card as much as you like.  You'll be amazed at the final results.  It's like magic!  

A few sides of my finished card (I can't show you everything - much too personal!!)

Now, I've got to make an envelope!

Go to Pink Saturday for more inspiration!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!

I've been working hard everyday to complete the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge!  You must keep in mind that each day's challenge did not necessarily have a specific theme.  The participants were challenged to use certain pictures and/or techniques for that day.  For example, on the Eight Day, the challenge was to create a snowflake...I made mine using the number 8!

The Fifth Day of Christmas - Five Golden Rings

The Sixth Day of Christmas - Six Geese a Laying (on the beach!)

The Seventh Day of Christmas - Seven Swans a Swimming

The Eighth Day of Christmas - Eight Maids a Milking

The 9th Day of Christmas - Nine Ladies Dancing

The 10th Day of Christmas - Ten Lords a Leaping

The 11th Day of Christmas - Eleven Pipers Piping

I don't know what Day 12's challenge is (yet) - come back tomorrow to find out.  In the meantime, I wish you all a blessed and Merry Christmas.  I hope all of your dreams come true!

For more inspiration, go to Pink Saturday!

Soon and Very Soon...

Christmas is almost here!  These are some of my digital creations for The 12 Days of Christmas Challenge.  This has been a lot of fun.  There is so much one can do in Photoshop Elements and I'm learning something new everyday - that's my gift to myself ;-)

A Partridge in a Pear Tree...

Two Turtle Doves...

On the Third Day of Christmas...

Four Calling Birds...

Eight more days to go....

For more inspiration, go to Pink Saturday. 

Just Another Day in Paradise!

Living in southwest Florida, I miss the cold weather associated with the Christmas season.  It has been chilly lately, but no snow - thank goodness!  The house is decorated with lights and our beautiful Christmas tree is up - the perfect focal point in our living room.

I made some "paper doll" ornaments - one for Richard and one for me!

Stockings hung with care

I noticed, that quite by accident, one of my sculptures is peeking from behind my stocking!!  (I took a sculpting class a couple of years ago.  It was fun - but I lack the talent.   These little ladies are fun though.)

(No question about who's naughty and who's nice in our house ;-)

A number of years ago, I made this quilt for the guild's challenge - Just Another Day in Paradise.  I think it turned out so great.  I hang it in the kitchen window for the holidays.  Most of the quilts entered in the challenge were themed around living in sunny, tropical Naples.  My first thought when I heard "just another day in paradise" was angels.

If I remember correctly, the three fabrics for the challenge were the dark and light pinks (foreground angel's gown) and the riotous color (middle angel's gown) as well as some charm embellishments.  (The angels' hair is free motion embroidery using variegated thread.)  

For more inspiration visit Pink Saturday.

It's a Wrap!

I love a challenge.  I bought some neat little gifts for friends at a local art fair this past weekend.  My challenge was to wrap these little beauties artistically.  I know, I know - I could buy a bag, box, whatever.   Making things - that's my bag (excuse the pun) - since I hadn't made the gift, it seemed only fitting I make the box it was presented in - it's all about presentation, right?!

I drew a box/bag on paper (several times) - finally got it right - huge sigh of relief!!

Method to my madness:

 Two colors of water soluble oil sticks were randomly drawn on ordinary card stock paper - brushed with water using foam brush.

 Once dry, added squiggly lines with gold Krylon pen.

Scanned the box/bag drawing and printed on the back side of beautifully painted card stock, then cut it out.

 I have a huge collection of tools that I use once in a blue moon.  Today I used a bone folder to score the fold lines and Japanese punch - to punch holes (of course!!)

Before the box was assembled, a decorative edge was cut on the front flap - another wonderful tool in my arsenal.  The one seam was adhered using double-sided tape.  Holes punched on top front, back and front flap for ribbon tie. (Photo taken before holes punched into front flap.)

I made two boxes.  I "goofed" on the first one (left) because the seam ended up on the front.  Not to worry - mistakes happen.  I simply added some dimensional paint and now it looks intentional - cool huh?!   I altered my pattern - the second box (right) is what I had in mind in the beginning - the seam in the back.

You may ask yourself "Was it worth all the trouble?" - to me, yes it was!

For more inspiration, visit Pink Saturday.