Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Theme Thursday - Pattern

Zentangles are such fun to do.   I have a zentangle journal that I doodle in on occasion.    It seemed to fit this week's challenge of pattern.   Happy New Year everyone!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Three Muses - Book

I love libraries, I love books, and I love the smell of old books.    I have to admit I had a bit of impish fun with this one.  The book cover is fashioned by me, and the title and name of author are strictly for laughs.   Hope you enjoy it!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Take a Word - Music

I feel as if I'm in a time warp, as my family is celebrating Christmas next Saturday on New Year's Day.   My gifts still await the giving and opening, my son is snowbound in Raleigh, N.C. and my daughter and grandson are flying in from Oregon tonight.   It was nice to have the diversion of creating something for SPA and TAW.   My thanks to Joe's Sistah for the background for this piece, and the dancers and musicians are from Flickr Collage Images.   I hope you are all dancing your way to the New Year!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Sunday Postcard - Open Theme

Open theme today for Sunday Postcard, so of course I chose vintage!   The image is a freebie from Land of Nod (thanks much), and background ephemera from Art-e-zine.    Thanks for finding time in your busy holidays to stop by!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Three Muses - Tidings

Marie has asked us to share some Christmas memories.  Mine are centered about the little one-room school and the country church that were the hub of social activities in my childhood.   Tradition on Christmas Eve was to attend Nigh Chapel for the children's program, hymns, and the reading of the story of Christ's birth from the Bible.  Then, the sound of sleigh bells heralded the arrival of Santa, who always brought brown paper bags of treats for everyone.  These contained hard candies, chocolate drops, nuts, an orange and a shiny apple.  I  never questioned that these treats were from the North Pole until the year my parents were on the "treat committee" and, with friends, prepared the bags of treats at our house!    This was probably the same year I learned Santa was Johnny Cashmer, a rotund farmer with rosy cheeks who lived in the neighborhood!   Who knew?  Any Christmas shopping was likely done from the well-fingered pages of the Sears & Roebuck catalog.   We looked forward to receiving the package from my father's mother, which always contained her potato candy (a confection made from a boiled potato, powdered sugar, and peanut butter).  Christmas Day was a gathering of family.  Gifts were simple, few and well chosen, and the afternoon was usually spent playing games of all sorts.

Close your eyes.  Imagine no charge cards, no over-spending, no retail mania, no exchanges, no batteries, children who talked instead of texting, adults who visited instead of watching television, and everyone remembering what Christmas is all about .....

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Take A Word - Celebration

Celebration of Christmas is a conglomeration of images for me.....trips home and the wonderful smells of mother's kitchen, children singing in our little country church,  adults joining in the traditional Christmas hymns, sleigh bells,  anticipation of a visit from Santa,  the happy chaos of the gift exchange, and heads bowed in prayerful gratitude as the family is seated around the Christmas table.   Merry Christmas all!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Three Muses - Odd Couple

A little over 25 years ago, I was sketching Santa figures on 1-inch pine, cutting them out with a band saw,  sanding them, painting them with oils, then sanding again to age them.  This odd couple is a product of that hobby, photographed and superimposed on a googled background, with a little digital tweaking.   I don't know how odd they are, but I do know they're one of a kind!  Thank you for stopping by to have a look!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Take a Word - Childhood

There's nothing like the innocent eyes of a child...born without prejudice, without hatred, without bias....so trusting and full of hope. We could learn so much from them. Thanks, Marie, for the word this week! My little charmer is from Flickr Collage Images (SuzyQue).

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Sunday Postcard - Robin


This is the view in my back yard two days ago. If Robin Redbreast had visited then, he'd have been in for a shock, and looked somewhat like this!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Three Muses - Flowers


Amidst all the Christmas posts, here's a glimmer of warmer days for those of us in the frozen north! The flowers are compliments of CR Designs, the flower girl is mine. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Merry Christmas from Me


Today, I'm addressing my Christmas cards. I want to send this copy to all my friends in Blogland. Sharing thoughts, ideas and art with wonderfully talented people from lands near and far has been such an enriching experience for me. Thank you for your kind comments and blog visits. Bless you one and all!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

TakeaWord - Mail

Mail is the great challenge word at Take A Word this week. The letters are copies of art mail I've sent to friends, the stamps are my own, as is the girl. Other bits and pieces are googled. I hope your mail brings good things to you this week, blog friends, and thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Theme Thursday - Fun Images

The theme at Theme Thursday is "fun images". I've always heard the term "behind the 8-ball" used when describing someone in trouble. Here's my guy behind the 8-ball, but he doesn't look the least bit concerned! This was a fun challenge, guys! Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

THREE MUSES - MOVIES

Ahhhh, in my mind there will never be another male star with the masculinity and sexual appeal of Clark Gable. When he said "Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn, there was a collective gasp in the theaters at hearing the word "damn" coming from the big screen. Imagine that! Even so, he caused female hearts to flutter for all the years he swaggered across the screen.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

TakeaWord - Home

Take a Word is taking us home this week. My background is googled, I'm the general contractor for the house, the car is from Granny and the girl is one of mine. If I'm going home, there HAS to be a barn!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Three Muses - Shoes

I can sympathize with my zettilady, in that now I'm a prisoner in my orthopedic wedgies, and I only dream of the spike heels and sexy shoes! Credit to RubyBlossom for the background of this piece, and Flickr collage free images for some of the bits and pieces. Great challenge, Ann!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

TakeaWord - Men

While I was trolling for images at Art-E-Zine, I was struck with how much this little boy looked like the image of the man. They seemed a likely father and son for the quote, which is so wise. Great challenge, Marie!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Theme Thursday - Faces


"The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on; nor all your piety nor wit shall cancel half a line." ~Omar Khayyam

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Three Muses - Automobile

The map background was scanned in from a wallpaper book, the books were Googled, and the lady in her vintage automobile is from my stash when I was careless about noting sources. (If you know, clue me in!). Don't you think she must have been a really independent lady in her day? Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

TakeaWord - Moon

Ladies of the evening. The lady in the moon is from a vintage cigarette ad, the city at night is part of a Van Gogh painting, and the ladies are from vintage posters. Thanks for the challenge, Marie. I had fun with this one!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Sunday Postcard - Remembering

Our Sunday Postcard challenge was to feature memories in our art. These are my mother's hands clasping my father's, cropped from a photo taken on their 50th anniversary. The photo has always touched me in a special way, and this week's challenge seemed appropriate. Thank you for looking.

Friday, November 12, 2010

ART CREATIONS - 11-12

This week's image from ACF amused me. It would be fun to take her all around the world and giving advice in unlikely places! I took her to Kensington Palace to give a piece of her mind to one of the guards. Maybe next she can have a chat with Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Barack Obama or ..... well, you get the idea! Thanks for the fun, ladies of ACF!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Theme Thursday - Steam Punk

Steampunkery is always fun. Credits here to Maya at SBG and to Fidlette. The skies are a bit cluttered, and it looks like the control tower has its work cut out for it! Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Three Muses - Blackbird

The word "blackbird" always brings to my mind the Beatles song. Here's my interpretation of those lyrics. Great challenge, Marie!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Take A Word - Angel

Marie's challenge word this week is "Angel". The background doorway is credited to Land of Nod. Light beam brush by Obsidian. I don't know if this is my guardian angel, but I know I have one. I narrowly missed a beautiful stag deer who leapt across the road right in front of my car on my way home from my little vacation getaway a couple of weeks ago. My passengers and I gasped and breathed a prayer of gratitude for that flicker of time that kept us from colliding!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Sunday Postcard - Hats and Crowns


This week's challenge at SPC put me in a zetti kind of mood. Credit for the background is to April Mouse, and credit for the "fabric" of the wardrobe is to Donna Miller. The rest, I'm afraid, is credit to me! Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

THREE MUSES - SHOW TIME

It just doesn't seem fair that these hips were stageworthy in that era! I could've been a star. My curvaceous ladies are from Flickr collage images, and the stage curtains from Tangie Baxter. I'm glad you stopped by!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Mixed Media Monday - Clever Boxes


My ladies box of treasures for this month's Mixed Media Monday challenge contains special family treasures,--a cameo from a great grandmother, a bright turquoise piece from a favorite aunt, and mother's treasured rhinsestone clasp. Pieces of the past.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Take a Word - Time

Good luck with your new challenge blog, Marie! The sketch is mine, the enhancements are from Donna Miller, Elizabeth Golden, and Creates Wings Designs. Hopefully, this young man will learn to be responsible for his own actions, and stand on his own merit, taking only wisdom from his grandfather!!

Friday, October 29, 2010

ART CREATIONS FRIDAY

This week's Mucha image from Art Creations is so lovely it was a challenge to decide how to enhance it. I chose a frame from my "stash", and some blooms from Christina Renee Designs. Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Theme Thursday - Blue

The theme is "blue" at Theme Thursday -- and that says nautical to me this week. Credit for the frame to Tangie Baxter, and for the other elements to Kubivet. The photo is one of my own. There's something about it that tugs at my heart. To me, the little guy before the vast ocean is representative of an innocent child with the world before him. Go well, young man!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

THREE MUSES - HATS

All dressed up for a night on the town, these two are my original sketches with bodies (and hats) borrowed from Flickr collage images. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Three Muses - Winged Things

I'm posting this very early because I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a 3-day getaway with four of my best friends. This piece turned out to be a rambling vintage surreal fantasy! Background is from Nancy Baumiller and Joes Sistah, fish from Dover, balloon from Maya at SBG, vintage vehicle and driver and man from Land of Nod, balloon passenger from Fidlette, and wings from Creates Wings Designs. I'll be anxious to see all the other entries when I get back home on Thursday. Hope everyone has as much fun as I did!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Art Creations 91


When I saw this image, I thought immediately of a painting, age indeterminate, I bought at a street fair about 25 years ago of a woman at a well. So I took the painting from the wall, photographed it, scanned it onto computer, and placed the girl in the painting with digital magic. I could not get the colors of the painting as true as I would like, but I am somewhat pleased with the overall effect. It could have happened just this way .......

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Three Muses - Vintage


How I love to do vintage! I used a couple of backgrounds from Joes Sistah. The bling is from Irene Alexeeva. I use it a lot (thanks, Irene). The lady image is an ATC I did a couple of years ago, and the gentleman is from Land of Nod.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Art Creations Friday - 90

We were given a lovely background to work with this week. I've altered the color a bit, and given it a bit of romance. I think the female image here is from a long ago ACF freebie, and the gentleman is from Flickr Collage images, but I'm convinced they were meant for each other!
Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Theme Thursday - Black and Red


King Crow is known to be rather quirky. I mean, who else do you know who wears boots and a crown? He has expensive tastes, and likes a bit of bling around the house. I'm told he dates a good bit, but maintains his bachelor status so he can please ALL the lady crows. Interesting fellow. I'm sure he has tales to tell!

Digital Whisper - Autumn Leaf


We were given the image of an autumn leaf to work with at Digital Whisper. I used a John Wm. Waterhouse image, a bird from Karen's Whimsy, and a googled autumn forest scene. Thanks, Kimmie, for the challenge!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Three Muses - Music

Marie has chosen music for the theme this week at Three Muses. I've used some elements from Irene Alexeeva. I have had the dancer in my "stash" for a long time, and I have not noted the source. If you know, refresh my memory! Credit for the mask used for the elements is to Kubivet. Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Theme Thursday - Dark

The night is here, come one, come all
It's time for the annual ghoulies ball
Come in singles, come in pairs
See what awaits beyond the stairs
We promise an evening you won't forget
With the most interesting ghouls you've ever met
Don't be afraid, come right on in
....then let's see if you can get out again!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Three Muses - Victorian

I am so grateful for the generosity of the many who post images free to use on various sites. My favorite is the Flickr Collage Images , (where I found this building, frame, and image) but there are many others as well. After putting these collage elements together, I used a couple of filters to provide texture and enhance colors. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Mixed Media Monday - Art

ART is the open challenge at Mixed Media Monday this week. I have been enamored of mail art of late, so my entry is a mail art envelope that will be going out to a friend this week. Background is made up of various elements from Scrapbookgraphics, the little lady is sketched by me, and there are some gel pen additions here and there. Thanks for looking!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Sunday Postcard - Autumn


Autumn is heaven to me, so it's not surprising a couple of angels showed up! I love the crisp mornings, displays of chrysanthemums and pumpkins, cornshocks and straw bales, and the glorious colors of turning leaves. Autumn has nothing but happy memories for me of hayrack rides, weiner roasts, s'mores, bobbing for apples (does anyone remember that?), and even the smell of burning leaves. It's all good!! (Angels credit to Kubivet).

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Theme Thursday - Two


Two sailboats, two dolphins, and one disgruntled passenger left on shore. Credit to Kubivet for the sailboats and dolphins, the ocean was googled, and the disgruntled passenger was sketched by me. This was fun. Thanks for the challenge Theme Thursday!!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Three Muses - Envelope Art

Here's my envelope, ready and waiting for an address and postage. I have become absolutely addicted to making these things! This background was a freebie which I attributed to PWB long enough ago I've forgotten what the initials stand for. (If you can correct me, please do!)
I added a little help from DaVinci, and a couple of stamps I made (the 50 cent one is actually my beautiful daughter), with a postmark by Katie Pertiet. The rose-in-hand is a Flickr collage image. I can hardly wait to see the work of everyone else!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mixed Media Monday - Button

I went far outside the box this time. When I saw the challenge was "button", my eye fell on the Escape button on my keyboard....and the rest is history. I think we all experience times when we feel boxed in, and wish for an Escape button! Credit to Nancy Baumiller for the background on this piece. It has so many possibilities. I'm so glad you stopped by my blog!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Sunday Postcard - Pinup


When I think of the mid-50's, I think of Sputnik and the beginning of the space age, so I had to sneak it into this piece somewhere! The lovely pinup is compliments of Flickr Collage Images (SuzieQ) and credit for the frame to Scrapbookgraphics (Dana F). Now I'm off to see the rest of the pin-ups!

MAILBOX TREASURE !

Look what "warm fuzzies" I found in my mailbox today! Thank you, Faye, for this and for the wonderful original watercolor tucked inside. I'm loving this entire concept of mail art!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Theme Thursday - 3 Things


Theme Thursday challenged us to create something in 3s. I chose 3 poppies on a black field. I LOVE black and red! Credit for the poppies & border treatment to Natali at Scrapbookgraphics. Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Three Muses - Words


I love words in any way, shape or form, so I enjoyed Ann's challenge this week. There's a really fun site called The Image Chef which I used for the word art in this piece. The beautiful image is from Flickr Collage Images (SuzieQ). Thanks for stopping by!