Beauty is not in the face....

I decided to sign up for Sharon Tomlinson's

mini workshop called Inktense faces on fabric

My first attempt was a blast.

I love my intense pencils, but I haven't 

experimented as much as I wanted to.

I've also been concentrating on how I could

improve my doll face making skills.

The dynamics of this face changed drastically

from lying flat to being stuffed.

She has an unusual expression, so

I had to research quotes on BEAUTY and

decided to decoupage a particular

quote on the funnel.

"Beauty is not in the face;

beauty is a light in the heart".

Kahlil Gabran

Once her head was stuffed, she needed

a bonnet or something.

Red roving was needle felted in place,

with a couple crystal embellishments.

A red grosgrain ribbon around her neck,

and I still don't know what possessed me

to create this unusual piece!

********

My sweetie treated me, and our moms yesterday,

to a whale watch out of the Rye Harbor.

Nettie ~ Barb

If you look really close in the next photos,

I barely managed to capture this beautiful

whale feeding off Jeffrey's Ledge.

It was awesome!

I wanted to watch most of the time,

instead of limiting my view through a camera lens.

Something magical about seeing a whale's tale

dipping into the ocean with the sunset as a backdrop,

and diamonds glistening on the water.

Barb ~ Tim

Barb ~ Nettie ~ Sam

You can find even better photos and more info

here: Blue Ocean Society

Thank you Sweetie xxoo

Another dreary forecast

It's early Saturday morning,

thunder is rumbling in the distance,

the sky is very dark outside,

the cats are vying for my attention,

walking on my keyboard;

while company is still in bed sleeping;

and I'm torn in all directions.

I love my weekend studio time,

and I'm looking around for small projects

to casually work on, and not

appear rude while the company

lounges around snug in blankets,

watching movies,

 for lack of better entertainment

on a dreary day.

This kind of weather gets my creative

juices flowing, and its hard to contain myself,

but it's going to be one of those days.

I need to turn my "creative volume" down low,

and enjoy the day with company,

however it unfolds.

I will have visions of ink sprays,

painted faces, fabric scraps, journaling,

collage, gesso and gel medium ideas

 all scrambled in my head,

remembering my manners to be polite,

and save those thoughts for another day.

The Muse isn't happy,

but heck, she'll get over it.

You just have to seize the day,

and enjoy making memories with loved ones

every moment you can.

I wish YOU a joyful a day!

Vertigo and Circles journaling prompt

 Prompt provided by A Year in the Life of an Art Journal

THE PROMPT: Vertigo
THE SONG: Right Round Ft. Kesha
Written Lyrics HERE
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE: Circles

This journal page simply happened.

I started to apply color with a couple dauber bottles,

in colors of raspberry and gold.

I have dozens of folders with magazine clippings,

and this bird was the first thing that caught my eye

puffing out his golden chest.

I enhanced the page with Sennelier pastels,

using a deep blue, black and sunny yellow,

which are vibrant when rubbed with a wet wipe.

Then I stopped.

I couldn't find words to express my feelings.

When I saw the newsest prompt,

I KNEW this page would have a happy ending.

I searched for a "vertigo" quote,

typed it on the computer,

printed, ripped and pasted,

outlined the text in vine charcoal.

Next, I journaled a few words from the song,

in a spiralling downward pattern,

and enhanced the bird a little bit,

using black gel pen.

Three more circles in raspberry paint 

to emphasize the words

"round" and "falling".

Voila!  C'est finis!

I'm learning to let go and play

without thinking about it.

I am often frozen or paralized with doubt,

or lack of ideas to plan a project.

Stuck.

It's the act of "doing" something; anything,

which "sparks" and "ignites" 

that special unexpected experience,

often referred to as the "journey".

This a perfect example

of being lead by my Muse.

So I'm learning to not think.

Grab a color of any medium,

 and make a mark.

The more frequent this happens,

you will find your style.

The rest will follow.

Enjoy the journey.

 

Vintage inspired lavender sachets

Rain, rain go away!

It's been a rainy spring,

 and this past weekend was no exception.

It turned into a washout (weather-wise)

Ready for the birthday party to begin!

We stayed in the garage mostly due to the

rain and chilly weather, but it was fun.

Smoked ribs and chicken were a huge hit.

Thanks to Skip and his secret ingredients.

Nettie and Craig in their hoodies!

It was a fun party in spite of the rain.

After cleaning up the garage,

I spent yesterday in my studio,

(enjoying the rainy day actually).

Rainy days inspire me, but I won't say that too loud.

But, the cats are even affected by the weather,

just laying around sleeping all day.

While getting caught up on workshop videos,

I worked on these lavender sachets.

Printed vintage ladies on fabric,

embellished with a decorative stitch,

 buttons, beads, and organdy ribbon.

Two are backed with black velvet,

and two are backed with a pretty tapestry.

I also organized my paints.

I'm getting the itch to paint again,

so I'll practice my techniques in my journals

to get warmed up, and see if I'm rusty or not.

So many possibilities.

At least in the journals, I can let

serendipity lead the way for now.

Then perhaps I'll be on course again.

For now, I will enjoy the rain while it lasts,

for once the sun shines, I'll be enjoying my garden

once again, as well as the fresh air.

Hopefully!

A view of my gardens

Spring is such a busy time of year.

Graduations, weddings, and birthday parties.

My poppies were supposed to be red/orrange.

I was disappointed at first, but

this color is growing on me.

This year I didn't delay in buying pansies.

I love birds in my yard.

My dad made me several birdhouses

before he passed away in May of 1995.

It was difficult to put them outside,

but life goes on, and I think Dad would

be really happy to see them now.

It warms my heart to see them raise their babies.

The noah's ark birdhouse was a gift,

and looks awesome hanging from my planter.

This is my hosta garden, with an ornamental birdhouse.

We built our farmer's porch last year,

and it's our favorite place to hang out.

The rickety shed in our backyard,

served as a shelter for a ferral cat this winter.

We had so much snow, and he would

crawl to the food I left out for him daily.

This weekend I'm preparing a party to celebrate my

mom's 75th birthday, and my youngest son's 21st birthday.

Family are coming from out of town, and

the weather looks to be perfect.

So I have taken today off from work

to clean the house, shop, and

prepare the food.

Not before counting my blessings,

enjoying the little things that make my day.