New Years Eve resolution

I have a 4-day week-end, and began it with a horrible head cold. 

I started the day cough/barking, with little energy,

and thought maybe it would be a good time

to review a Journal 365 video.  

Looking back over the last year,

I have devoted time to watching videos,

but didn't actually have or make the time

to practice what I learned. 

Today I decided to dive in,

and without thinking too much about what I was going to do,

just grabbed a random clipping from a Juxtapoz magazine. 

The picture of a girl with leaves circling her head,

reminded me of how I felt. 

 I continued to find black-eyed susan flowers

 from a gardening magazine,

and colorfull birds from Birds and Bloom magazine. 

I turned on the Lesson 3 video,

pulled out a brand spanking new 9"x12"

Strathmore Visual Journal, and began collaging on page one. 

Pam kept me company as I added paint

to my magazine clippings,

experimenting with acrylics, neocolor II crayons,

charcoal and gel pen.

I love how the page turned out. 

 It really resonates my feelings today.  

Being a celebratory kind of day,

even though I'm feeling a little lost

 in my head with a cold. 

Birds and flowers bring me great joy,

and I'm determined to put my first foot forward

in the new year with a commitment to journal more,

and play and experiment more with my supplies. 

I was tempted to journal these feelings on this page,

but decided it was enough for me without the words,

that the visuals alone on this page will remind

me of what I was feeling this day. 

I feel like the bird is whispering in my ear

"So what if you bring in the new year with a

cup of steaming hot tea instead of bubbly? 

Bring it on, and Happy New Year! 

Last project for 2010

We planned an out-of-town trip to celebrate

Christmas with Tim's family.

So I prepared a little project to stitch in the car

during the 2+ hour drive each way.

I cut up some black, gold and red wool felt,

and stitched in contrast with red, gold and black floss.

  I was able to work on it both ways.

We left CT when it started snowing,

realizing we had a blizzard on our tails.

I managed to get all the pieces stitched in the car.

Luckily we made it home before the storm,

but it wasn't long before it started to snow.

We lit a few candles,

turned on Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp

and I finished the last details of my candle matt.

My boys work during snow storms,

and while I'm home enjoying a planned day off from work,

they are still out there working.

A nor'easter isn't a storm to take lightly.

Typically, my boys view the storm with $$$

while I'm thinking about their safety.

Once a mom, always a mom!

I am fascinated with the work of Lisa Kaus,

and was inspired to  enjoy a little

play time experimenting

with my oil pastels over watercolor.

I sketched my design on 140# Watercolor Paper

Basecoated the design with watercolors,

later enhanced with oil pastels.

The quote by Friedrich Nietzsche

was typed on the computer, and 

 the edges of the printout were torn

and applied the text along with

game pieces with gel medium.

I realized I had some newspaper print scraps

that I had saved from another project

involving silver sprays which would be

perfect for the wings, adding a little sparkle.

I distressed all areas with charcoal

to add depth and texture.

  

The watercolor paper was sewn to some

black cardstock that I deckled the edges

and wiped with distressed ink.

Two eyeletts were added to the top,

and accented with beaded wire,

and two decorative black wired beads on the front.

The oil pastels really added vibrant rich tones of color

over the watercolors which were rather light to begin with.

It's definitely brighter than I anticipated.

Very relaxing and fun play time

to break up the "holiday chaos-ness".

This is originality - and too cute as well!

Wishing You an Old Fashioned Christmas! from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

One World One Heart 2011 - Save the Date

This is the 5th and FINAL event

You must already have a BLOG to play

(age 18 and over)

* encourages blog hopping to mingle

*an opportunity to meet friends far and wide

Clearly state that you are participating

Include a brief INTRODUCTION

*who are? - what are you about?

Post the LOGO to your blog

LINK BACK to Lisa at

A Whimsical Bohemian

You must have a BLOG PRIZE

It's consider a "thank-you" gesture for visiting your blog

Provide CLEAR PHOTOS of your prize

Be Prepared to ship WORLDWIDE

 (NO country excluded)

Visitors must be able to COMMENT on your blog

Visitors must have an E-MAIL ADDRESS

 to be contacted if they are a Winner

Visitors ONLY need to comment 

and provide an e-mail contact

(NO other requirements - NO Advertising - NO reciprocation's)

DON'T post before JAN 30th

It's OK to spread the word NOW

*It's an announcement to

"SAVE THE DATE"

When the clock strikes Jan 30th

Send e-mail 

(include a link to your post) to:oneworldoneheart@comcast.net

Your blog address and country

will be added to the LINK List

  

WINNERS are chosen on FEB 17th

PRIZES are mailed by FEB 2OTH!

I invite you to Save the Date

and welcome you back on Jan 30th

(Special thanks to my friend Teresa S.

 for telling me about this event)

Art with Heart - Santa Give-a-way

After learning about Cherie Stannard's heart breaking story,
I decided to have a give-a-away to

help spread the word about her.

Her life was forever changed in a moment.

To participate to win this prim Santa,

simply post a comment here,

and please post a link
on your site to Cherie's page.

If you don't have a site,
simply post a link to this post,
and send it to your contacts via e-mail.

Cherie's friend, Elizabeth Nelson St. Hilaire organized a

fundraiser to raise awareness and funds

to help the family in their time of need.

Other artists joined together to create a beautiful

hardbound book "Art with Heart" which can be

previewed on Elizabeth's or Cherie's page.

Donations may also be made without making a purchase.
If you can't make a donation,
just spread the word.

I will choose a winner on

December 23rd,

and Santa will be mailed Christmas Eve

by Priority US Mail to domestic addresses or

 Parcel Post to international addresses.

Santa is made of Osnaberg Fabric

bathed in Walnut Crystals, Coffee & Vanilla.

Nose and eyes are needle sculpted.

He is mounted on a wooden spindle

with a square base, that has been distressed.

Sheet music has been collaged

to the spindle to add a touch of whimsy.

He wears a tan polka-dot suit.

Accented with cream fur and rusty bells.

His hair and beard is 100% Sheep's Wool

from dear friends in Maine.

He was made with love,

is signed and dated,

and ready to travel to his new home.

The holidays represent a time of giving.

Please help spread the word.

It's Santa adoption day

Today my friends will choose their santa(s)....

I always love to group my finished prims.

I should have made a christmas card with this one....

wait, there is still time.

Eeny

Meeny

Miney

Moe....

Which one(s) stays and which one(s) goes???

hee hee....

More later!

I hope you will join me for my Santa give-a-way.

Art with Heart - fundraiser

click image to enlarge!

On September 30, 2010, Cherie Ann Stannard became entrapped in her Jeep

after it rolled and landed on its roof following a single-vehicle crash.

There was another car involved that did not stop.....(read on)

What would you/could you do to help a dear friend

that has become paralyzed from the shoulders down,
due to a severe spinal injury?

Cherie's dear friend Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson
sprang to action to organize a fundraiser to contribute
towards the medical costs not covered by medicaid.

Are you looking for that unique gift

for someone special on your shopping list?

Why not consider this beautiful keepsake,

created out of love, and support an incredible cause?

In the coming days, I will announce a give-a-way
to help promote this cause,
to spread the news fast and far.
Won't you help?

Primitive Santa is on his way...

I wouldn't have bothered to make this Santa,

if it wasn't for some neat friends that requested it.

They have very generously gifted me with

spindles and sheep's wool in the past.

To show my thanks one year,

I made them a prim santa with a spindle and their wool.

I was later asked to make a similar one for their relative.

Last year I was too busy, and

time flew by.....and it didn't happen.

I had taken a break from creating prims,

but didn't want to let my friends down this year.

I decided to make a "batch" rather than one,

to give my friends a selection.

It's been a while since I grunged anything,

and I may have been a little heavy with the walnut crystals,

and I realized too late that I forgot the cinnamon....oh well.

It was dark enough to even stain the wood bases,

which surprisingly now match the spindles.

I had intented to paint, crackle and distress them,

but I think I will leave them just as they are.

So today is a dank, rainy day,

and I'm in my glory.

Yesterday I cleaned the house, and started

the santas, letting them dry overnight.

Now with chores done, I'm happily playing in my studio,

listening to jazzy Christmas songs,

and primming Santas.

I baked a couple banana breads earlier,

and have a pea soup in the crock pot.

The house is warm and cozy,

an entire afternoon ahead of me,

and it's one down, three to go!

Reflection

It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity

that great things are achieved,

But by reflection, force of character, and judgement”.

~Marcus Tullius Cicero

I received this beautiful photo in an e-mail message,

and do not know who to give credit to.

It spoke to me about "reflection".

Something I am doing a great deal of lately.

Reflecting inwardly on who I am,

and who I want to be;

where I've been,

and where I want to go.

It's a good feeling;

one of satisfaction,

yet still a need for goal setting.

One thing is certain;

I have become comfortable in my own skin,

and each year I embrace the holidays

with less chaos and more appreciation

of a simpler one.

I realize how truly blessed I am.

This year I am feeling so gratefull for that.

I wish you Merry Blessings

as you embrace your holiday preference.

RIP beloved Max

RIP dear Max

The Rainbow Bridge awaits you now....

Your suffering is over...

Don't cry because it's over,

Smile because it happened.
-Dr. Seuss

What we have once enjoyed
we can never lose;
All that we love deeply,
becomes a part of us.
-Helen Keller

A pet is never truly forgotten until
it is no longer remembered.
-Lacie Petitto

Beloved Max

9/11/95 - 12/5/10

Snow Angel makes Treasury!

This little surprise couldn't have happened at a better time

to boost my spirits.

Sitting here feeling blue about my pet's condition,

and I received an e-mail notification

that I'm featured in an Etsy treasury.

My first I believe.

Very sweet.

Shopping, Cloth Paper and Heartache

I began my morning putting away yesterday's purchases.

This "snow happy" stitchery was created by my friend Pam.

He's now hanging in my studio.

This stitchery pillow was created by my friend Deb.

She finally indulged in a little grunge, and I love her work.

It was her 10th anniversary Homespun Christmas,

and her house was packed more than I've ever seen it.

An awesome turnout. 

I also made it to Sage Farm Antiques.

I couldn't resist $2.50 for the letter holder.

White buttons for my stash, and a vintage Christmas tablecloth.

The atmosphere in the antique shop with greenery,

christmas balls, and red and white accents FINALLY put me

in the spirit to decorate for the holidays.

Cloth Paper

This is the coolest technique, and easier than I thought.

Layers of muslin, paper, tissue and paint.

Once dry, imagine the mixed media possibilities.

This is where the heartache fits in.

As I was preparing this post, as always

my furry friends are by my side,

napping or causing mischief.

Always keeping me company,

and putting a smile on my face.

My dear Max is finally fighting for his life.

His respiratory functions appear to be failing.

He is having much difficulty breathing,

and I fear the time has come to make that dreadful trip.

I know this will be my last photo of Max.

16 sweet years....

and time to say goodbye.

ART is Who?

Photo courtesy of http://www.art-is-you.com/

This morning I received an e-mail
containing awesome news

from Artisan Avenue.

There is going to be an
EAST COAST Art retreat
coming near me!

Columbus Day weekend 2011
I am pinching myself
after reading the list of artists:

Brenda Bliss, Keith LoBue, Michael deMeng,
Diana Trout, Pam Carriker, Kecia Deveney, Teena Flanner,
Dee Foust, Pamela Huntington, Barb Kobe,
Nancy Lefko, Leighanna Light, Jodi Ohl,
Sue Pelletier, Ruth Rae, Taryn Reece,
Barb Saint John, Cheryl Strait, Lynn Sward,
Beryl Taylor, Shelley Thornton,
Lesley Venable and Gloria J. Winer.

Plenty of time to start saving my pennies!


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