Thursday, November 7, 2013

The Red Gratitude Tree

   My apologies for not getting back to everyone last week. First, I inadvertently deleted a bunch of comments instead of posting them, and then I deleted a group of them from my email. That's what I get for thinking I could read well enough with some sunlight-but no reading glasses!

  Here's the journal and paint part of my contribution for Paint Party Friday and several other challenges this week:


  This tree was done very similarly to the abstract tree I shared in this post recently. It was done wet on wet using acrylic paints in yellow, pink,  orange, red mixed with a bit of Golden raw Sienna along with touches of Golden Fluid Acrylic Payne's Gray. Paints were applied with a brush, sea sponge and my fingers. I always think of the word gratitude especially in November and I found the perfect quote I wanted to use with this particular painting. It was added digitally.

 I love when I can come up with something to fit the weekly themes at the Simon Says challenge blogs-especially cards. I've been making cards for a long time and am constantly working on new designs in most every style. This week on the Simon Wednesday blog the challenge is  "keep it clean and simple". I already had a Christmas card idea sitting on my table so I chose to work with it. 

  Here are three versions of the same design. First up-the Christmas card:


  Products: white note card (Canvas Corp); vellum (Hero Arts); patterned paper-Winter Twig (Little Yellow Bicycle, Inc.); rubber stamp (PSX); Vivid! Olive dye ink (Clearsnap); glittery foam stickers (source unknown); sewing machine and silver thread.

 A feminine birthday card:

  
 Products: white note card (Canvas Corp); vellum (Hero Arts); patterned paper - Take Note Set (Studio Calico); rubber stamp (Hero Arts); Jet Black Staz-On ink (Tsukineko); felt butterflies (Michael's); sewing machine and green thread.

  A more masculine version:

  
Products: kraft note card (Canvas Corp);vellum (Hero Arts); metallic patterned paper- The Natural Matstack (DCWV); rubber stamp (Hero Arts); Jet Black Staz-On ink (Tsukineko); butterfly stickers (Studio Calico); sewing machine and black thread.

  Simon Says generously offers a $50 gift voucher to one contributor chosen randomly each week on their Monday challenge and their Wednesday challenge! Not just that, but they don't require that you use products from their store-now how generous is that??? I for one appreciate it so much since I certainly don't have the means to constantly purchase for specific challenges.Thank you Simon Says!

  That's it for now. We have a busy weekend ahead which I'll let you in on next time. With my gratitude for your kind comments and for sharing your inspiring art too. XO


" The tree which moves some to tears of joy, is, in the eye of others, only a green thing which stands in the way. As a man is, so he sees."  William Blake



43 comments:

  1. Hello Linda
    What beautiful words of inspiration and lovely cards you have created! I do appreciate you stopping by my blog - and hope to get back in the swing of blogging/keeping up soon! Hope all is well your way! HUGS!

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  2. Wonder and Gratitude really speak to me as do your latest art creations dear Linda!
    I just used the word "Wonder" in an altered box I did for a local swap this Sunday...

    Thank you for sharing the Wm Blake quote too ♥

    Wishing you a lovely weekend
    oxo

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  3. I love your red tree. I think it's wonderful to keep it simple! So nice to visit!
    Hugs,
    Gigi

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  4. Beautiful cards, Linda! I love those vellum panels. Thanks so much for playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

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  5. Gorgeous cards Linda, I especially love the Christmas card - soft subtle pretty papers and a lovely sentiment on the vellum!!

    Thanks so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    hugs
    Heather xx

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  6. The red tree is wonderful and bright! I love the simplicity of it. The cards are beautiful too!

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  7. beautiful tree and quote! Lovely cards as well Linda.

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  8. Beautiful work, and I am in love with that tree! Valerie

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  9. lol about the reading glasses -- I can totally relate! I love the colors in your journal page. Your abstract tree is gorgeous.

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  10. That tree is so beaujtiful great cards too.

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  11. All of these are wonderful
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  12. I love how the tree trunk appears to twist... beautiful! And once more a fantastic quote:-)

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  13. Beautiful quote to go with your enchanting tree Linda and love the cards as well, Annette x

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  14. Your journal art is beautiful! Love the tree color and the quote layout! Happy PPF!

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  15. Linda your tree and the words that went with spoke directly to me today. Thank you.

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  16. Precious red autumn in this beautiful tree, wonderful!

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  17. Lovely cards, and gorgeous flaming tree! I love the fall colors of trees...

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  18. Ooh, love that tree! And the saying is so true.

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  19. Beautiful tree and cards! Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs Giggles

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  20. The tree looks gorgeous ....the post is beautiful :)

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  21. Beautiful colours in your tree and I love the stitching on the cards

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  22. Beautiful and creative card designs! I wish you a good weekend!

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  23. Love your pink tree, and your cards are all wonderful! ♥

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  24. your tree and cards are pretty! xo

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  25. Linda your tree is gorgeous and lovely cards too, always plenty to see and enjoy here!

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  26. Beautiful painting and I adore those cards - great idea!

    Happy PPF!

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  27. Beautiful vibrant tree and your cards are just fabulous!

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  28. Isn't it great to be able to make cards for your friends! These are lovely.

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  29. You have been busy Linda! I really love that beautiful tree.

    Karen x

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  30. Beautiful quote and painting. Have a wonderful week end!
    Ilona

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  31. The tree and the cards are beautiful Linda. Thank you for sharing this information about the Simon says challenge. That is so good of them to accept projects that don't have their products. I think if time allows I too should give these challenge a try. Thank you for sharing these lovely projects and have a great week
    Susan

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  32. Linda, I love your sense of humor. Your red tree is so pretty and delicate and your art works are always so creative and sweet. You are very inspiring woman. Have a lovely week and big hug to you. Thank you for sharing

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  33. I love your color palette in that beautifully stylized tree painting. I also like the way you took the same layout in so many directions with your cards. Blessings, my friend!

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  34. Gorgeous work, love your tree. Kim

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  35. Awe - inspiring painting and such a beautiful qoute to compliment your art. Just lovely!

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  36. Lovely cards Linda. I really love your tree - the wet on wet technique gives it a lovely texture + quality. Have a great week x

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  37. Lovely cards is right but the tree is what catches my eye ~ wonderful composition, lines, color and textures ~ beautiful! ~ thanks, carol, xxx

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  38. I really like the red tree. There is something about it I can´t figure out. :)

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  39. Lovely tree you have created. It has developed from the earlier forms to a real beauty. I like the color. Your cards are so fantastic and beautiful.They make me to want to do anything like that,:)

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  40. A beautiful tree and lovely words! :)
    and I also fancy your cards! :)

    I should try to make some x'mas cards, I've got the one finished, but
    I'm slow to make them printed..

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  41. What a beautiful tree, the color is just so lovely! Your cards are also very charming!

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  42. Beautiful and very positive too. Thank you for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday and I am so sorry I am very late responding this week.

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!