Canvas Create

I am having the best time with the Canvas Create series with Donna Downey! Working on canvas is awesome. I had canvases and had created some mixed media pieces mainly like decoupage. Painting and mixed media is more rewarding for me. I think I feel like a "real" artist painting on canvas.LOL. I did two for January. Mainly, I did two because I was afraid to write on the first on so whipped up a smaller one to practice on. It turned out my flower was way better on the second one. I liked the way the word goes up the side on my "practice" canvas. But I like the background on the first attempt, better. I know I will use these techniques and create more similar to this.
The February project used modeling paste. Never used this before, but you can do such neat stuff with it besides just make a textured background. I am really glad I committed to this series of lessons. It gives me a focus each month so that I have no excuses not to create.

Full Worm Moon

Over at Jamie Ridler's Studio, Jamie hosts full moon dreamboards every month. This month is the Full Worm Moon. It asks: What dreams are emerging...what is stirring? Every month it seems some sort of timepiece makes it way into my dreamboard. It isn't that I don't have time to do things, or take care of me, or accomplish what I want or need to do. It is more of making really good use of my time so it doesn't slip away and leave me feeling like I lost the opportunity of the time I have. This month,my board is reflecting what is stirring from within me as spring approaches. The desire to get into the best shape I can, the desire to eat delicious healthy foods, take the time to go kayaking and be in nature, and enjoy our yard and deck. What is stirring especially is the anxiousness to see Maine, again. Plans are emerging for a visit there this summer. Yippee!

Full Snow Moon

Over at Jamie Ridler’s Studio it is Dreamboard time! This month is the Full Snow Moon. Per Jamie, The Full Snow Moon asks: “What desires lie deep within?”
My ongoing desires are to bring more harmony into my life and the lives of those around me (mood swings of menopause has inspired this desire!). I also want to feel contentment and serenity in my surroundings and make our home a place we want to hang out in. My biggest selfish desire is to someday live on the shore of some kind of water…lake, river, OCEAN! It would be magic to me. For now, traveling to water is the plan for summer. Most of all, I desire to remember to celebrate living and life’s simple pleasures. There are some health issues with a close family member. I want to celebrate each good, living moment with them instead of thinking of what may eventually come. In order to gather these desires and turn them into a daily reality, I need to remember to take the time to be present, plan, and make space for these desires to happen.

Full Wolf Moon Dreamboard

As I started pulling pictures for my January Full Moon Dream Board, it became apparent there were a few repeating themes. I had a fantastic December and holiday time. It was relaxing, and I felt I really had a chance to enjoy each day. However, January's start has been hectic with family illness, injuries to loved ones, more to do with my job and it seems it should be way past January 9. Everyone is doing ok, now. I am ready for a breath with no worries. So...my dreamboard is reflecting what I am envisioning (and hungry for) for the rest of the time. Time to regroup, find my balance that I had last month. I intend to find time (the clock) for reading, creating, pampering, and trying new things in the kitchen! Thanks to Jamie for having this group!

Wishcasting Wednesday

My wish for the New Year ...I wish for family, friends, and myself happiness, contentment, and good health. I also wish to have more follow through instead of just thinking of what I would like to do! I am declaring the first half of 2012 the time to finish up all those unfinished projects. I wish to make time to participate in dreamboards and Wishcasting Wednesdays. I wish world leaders would have more compassion and less greed.

LIBERATE YOUR ART Postcard Swap!

Participating in Kat Sloma's "Liberate Your Art" postcard swap was a lot of creative fun. Participating in a swap is always great because it gives me a reason to have to go to my craft area and create instead of doing all those other things that often squeeze my creating time down to almost zero. Then anticipating the postcards arriving in the mailbox added to the fun. My postcard, "Journey" is a collage made from dress pattern pieces, bits of scrap paper, stamps from Australia, a Tim Holtz charm, and rubber stamp quotes. Thanks to everyone that participated! I enjoyed your creativity immensely.

The Postcards were so varied and creative. Lara sent a wonderful contemporary photo of the Park Playa Hotel in London, Kat sent the beautifully composed scooter photo making me think of going on a grand adventure, Claudia sent the yummy jumbo cookie card and I was ready to get to baking. "Red Velvet" was sent by Cindy and is a cut and paste creation. Hillary's place setting photo made me wonder what delicious goody was to come. Martha sent the marvelous burst of color with her flower photo card.

Carmen's ATC Challenge

I seem to continue to have few postings. However, I wanted to post the ATC goodies I received by participating in Carmen's challenge/swap. It was fun to create the ATC's, but total bliss to receive everyone else's in the mail. What creative beings everyone is. Thanks for all of your creativeness and effort!