Monday, February 20, 2017

A Mélange of Things

  Another week, and another crazy weather week to boot! Remember my last post? It has now gotten warm again and we had a weekend of glorious sunshine and temps up to 67 F. YES!

 For T Stands For Tuesday:

 Not long ago my friend LuAnn and I went to our favorite Irish place again for a lovely lunch. She had the cottage pie and I had the chicken boxty. We chose a decafe apricot and peach tea and it was delicious-not at all sweet like I was afraid it would be!

 And speaking of LuAnn. I was supposed to go spend time with her in the Adirondacks during this time but it was postponed. LuAnn and her husband had to make that heartbreaking decision to put their beloved cocker Ginger to sleep and understandably need time to heal. I know. I knew Ginger from the time they brought her home over 15 yrs ago. In loving memory:

                                                   Christmas in NY 2016

 For Moo Mania and More I have another postcard for the theme of "music":


 The challenge for the week at the Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog is Fantastic Florals so I am entering this card:

  Products: white, black cardstock; Clear stamps (Sending You set-Papertrey Ink); Warm Red Fluid Chalk ink(Clearsnap); Staz-On inks- Cactus Green, Mustard, Jet Black-Tsukineko); fern seam binding (Martha Stewart); red ribbon - Offray).

 My next card is for the new challenge this week at the Simon Monday Challenge Blog and the theme is Transport It:

 Aqua, white, navy cardstock; patterned map paper- unknown; air mail stamp from post office; typed sentiment; felt heart; sewing machine; Spellbinders large circle dies; Moonshine sequins-Simon Says Stamp Shop.

 And for Art Journal Journey (Fifty Shades of Red theme),  Paint Party Friday and Try It On Tuesday I have a "messy" journal page:

 "Art-it's a messy job but somebody's got to do it". That's the stamp(Stamping Sensations) I used. Other products: Pan Pastels,  Dylusions ink spray (Postbox Red), Versamark ink pad, black Stabilo All pencil, Desert Turquoise, Titanium White acrylic paints, black Fude Ball pen, unmounted alphabet (Stampers Anonymous), black Archival ink pad.  The technique was taken directly from Dina Wakley's book Art Journal Courage. And getting messy on a page is what I needed to do to get out my emotions about losing Ginger. It does help.

 So, do you go to art to deal with things life throws to you whether good or bad? And isn't it interesting what comes out of it?

 Thanks so much for your visits. I love hearing from you!

" Do not try to predict or manipulate the avenue through which your good will come. Be true to your dream and the universe will show up to support you in amazing ways."   Alan Cohen

66 comments:

  1. Lovely food and drink, beautiful art, and good weather - more is not necessary. Thanks for joining us at TIOT with your wonderfully messy piece. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  2. Great post, and love your new banner!

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  3. Oh, I'm so sorry for your friend's loss. I can relate. Pups and kitties are really family. And you've had a very creative week. Love your pieces, especially your red AJJ journal page. Its gorgeous. Well, they are all really nice. And more warm weather this week. Hurrah! happy T day Linda. Hugs-Erika

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  4. Happy T day, oh the tea sounds delicious. love your art journal piece. I do allot of different craft things I don't use it to escape I don't think but my muse has to call me in for me to accomplish it-kinda like a mission lol

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  5. It's amazing what a week will do. What was once a white landscape must now be green as the snow melts away. I'd love to have some of that snow, because we are under a fire hazard with our dry weather and high winds.

    You make the most beautiful cards. They are all so lovely, and you put so much into them. I especially like the one for MM&M. So romantic. Of course, your AJJ entry is out of this world. I love the messy part, too. So much better than my mess!

    I was also saddened by your friend's loss of Ginger. I know my "boys" are my family, and I feel your friend's loss.

    Thanks for taking us with you to the Irish restaurant and sharing your meals and tea. I would love to try apricot and peach tea, but since it is decaf, I would need coffee to end the meal. Thanks for sharing your week and tea with us for T this Tuesday. At least it's now Tuesday in your world.

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  6. Your lunch looks fabulous and that decafe apricot and peach tea would be for sure something I would like as well . Sorry about hearing from LuAnn's cocker ... so sad to say goodbye - you know this so well.
    I love all your fabulous cards Linda and the super expressive page for Art Journal Journey!
    Thank you for visiting all the participants and encouraging them so well!
    You are such a lovely person and artist!
    Happy T-Day!

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  7. oh and I also forgot to mention that you joined in at Try It On Tuesday!

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  8. Love the design of your journal page Linda! A perfect take on our theme!
    Thanks for sharing it with us at TioT this time. Hugs!

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  9. Hello Linda - what a delicious lunch (I googled chicken boxty and it sounds really yummy... another way to have chicken). The fruit herbal teas can often surprise. That was a lovely way for you and your friend to get together again. It was sad to read about your friend's pet, and for you also, having been part of Ginger's life. Our animal friends very definitely find snuggly warm places in our hearts.

    Your postcard is delightful and full of fun. Beautiful floral card and the travel card with its romantic words is lovely as well.

    I had a little chuckle at your 'messy' journal page... it must have been nice to let loose.

    At certain times I like to do what I call 'mind painting' when life throws things into the mix... sometimes it makes it into actual paint but other times not - depends where I am.

    Cheerio for now, lovely to catch up :D)

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  10. you really had a creative time with all those challenges - love the results very much! i hope you are having a great week, linda!

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  11. Fantastic Project. Thank you for joining us at TioT.

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  12. Sorry about the cat a sad time for all concenred.

    Terrific artwork and such a variety. Thank you for joining us at Try it on Tuesday

    Happy T Day as well

    Love Chrissie xx

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  13. love your red pages,so amazing and artsy.i love art pages.
    your food looks yummy.
    a nice week.

    hugs jenny

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  14. It looks like you had a delicious meal out.
    Super art to see on this post and thank you for the wonderful Messy art page that you are sharing with us at TioT's this time.
    Happy T Day.
    Yvonne xx

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  15. I can see the tears dropping down in your messy page you made while remembering Ginger.
    Beautiful music piece - the Pig-Lady looks like she throws her foot against the Pig-Man, lol!
    Wish you a good and warm week!

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  16. The food looks yummy! I've never heard of chicken boxty before (so I'll have to look it up to get more information), it looks like something I would enjoy :-). Sorry to hear about your friend's loss, I feel for them. What lovely cards and artwork, you have been a busy bee :-). Happy T Day! J :-)

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  17. Just saw your comment on Chris's post. Those "trollies" (ie, roll around carts) came from IKEA. I know because several other artists have mentioned it. Since there are none within 1000 miles of my home, maybe you will have better luck finding an IKEA in your area.

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  18. Everything is growing here in February! Warm days and the nights are warm enough i can have the windows open...crazy.. I'm sure alot of people are happpy but not me.. I'm a cold weather person.. lol and the Winter was all too brief around here.. (Arkansas) So many wonderful things in this post i hardly know what to comment on.. such beautiful pieces... I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.. I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's loss.. Hugs! deb

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  19. Yay for unseasonably warm Winter weather. I'm enjoying the mild temps. too, though not as high as 67. Love your cards and pages especially the poppies. Reminds me of a sun dress and jacket my mother made me. The fabric was white with black dots and a border print of poppies. Loved that dress. Will keep your friends in my thoughts. So hard to make the decision to put a beloved pet down. Happy T Day!

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  20. Oh my heart goes out to LuAnn and her family in losing Ginger ~ our fur persons become part the family ~ lots of healing hugs to you and LuAnn and her family ~ Not art creations, once again, are divine ~ favorite is your journal page as it is so expressive and creative and healing ~ (I used to that ~ need to do more of it consciously ~ although think my angels are symbolic of healing ~ thanks,

    Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^

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  21. I had to look up chicken boxty. My, that looks/sound scrumptious!

    I love your messy page and the sentiment on it. I'm impressed that you're able to handle such a number and variety of challenges at one time. And every one is lovely and suits the challenge.

    I don't use art to help sort out or deal with what life brings. I use art as a reward for when I've finished everything else. This is a bad habit that I'm trying to change ;-)

    Sorry for your friend's loss. It's hard to lose our fur babies.

    Happt T-day, Linda! Hugs, Eileen

    Happy T-day

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  22. We've been having an early Spring here, too :)

    The food looks great. I'll have to look for that chicken boxty dish. I've never heard of it

    Happy T Tuesday :)

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  23. Those meals look delicious! Loving the art today! Your post card made me smile! I love your 'messy' page! So pleased you joined us at Try It On Tuesday! Happy T Day, Chrisx

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  24. So much beautiful art today...Really gorgeous cards and art journal page! Happy T Day!

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  25. Some wonderful and inspirational art work. So sad for LuAnn and I really feel for her. If only our pets lived longer.

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  26. I wanted to make absolutely sure they came from IKEA, so did an internet search using my preferred search engine. I clicked on images and got several different ones. But they definitely came from IKEA.

    https://duckduckgo.com/?q=roll+around+IKEA+carts&bext=lfp&atb=v44-6cs&iax=1&ia=images

    You can see them at the above location. I checked to make sure the link went where it was supposed to, too. IF you decide to stop, I suggest you check with the IKEA in your area before going to make sure they have them, or can still get them, based on what Chris said about the different color.

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  27. It seems you are SO busy Linda. An amazing diversity of interesting art.

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  28. That meal looks delish! I had to google chicken boxty and I like the sound of that. I might have a go at making those potato pancakes.
    I'm sorry about Luann losing their beloved dog. It is a real bereavement. Our cat is very ill at themoment and is staying overnight at the vets for the second night in a row. I home he will pull through, but it could be 'curtains' for our kitty this time (and he's not that old either).
    Lovely artwork.
    Happy T-day,
    Lisca

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  29. Art has always been my salvation from all of the bumps in life and the place to let the good feeling fly when things are going well too. Without art I am not complete! Sorry for the loss of Ginger for all of you... those little fur babies just wrap themselves all up in our hearts ♥

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  30. YES! Art journaling is my outlet for all the stress of the work week. Perfect stamp for both challenges. Art should be mess!

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  31. Wonderful art and yes, that seems to be everybody's retreat from the strategies of life.
    Now that lunch looks and sounds so yummy, my mouth is watering.
    Hearing of anyone loosing a life long pet just breaks my heart
    Belated T-day wishes my friend.

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  32. hello linda! gorgeous creations, luv your style! I am so glad you played along with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

    blog-paperie blooms
    ig-2klines

    sparkle & shine, kindness *~*

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  33. Its always joy to visit here and see your beautiful art, Linda.
    Happy PPF and weekend xx

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  34. Your art works, painting and cards, are all gorgeous, Linda. Sorry about your friend's dog. It is truly a sad time when we have to say goodbye.

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  35. Love the red art journal page! Super colours :)

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  36. OMG! Lot of happenings here!
    Love your Music card as well as the floral one....and <3 your journal page too...cool flow!

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  37. Lovely work for the challenges and the food looks good. Sorry for your friend's loss.

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  38. I love the postcard!

    So sorry to hear about your friend's pet. It's always difficult to put down a four-legged family memebr.

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  39. Love that red and your header and your art Linda...in other words, Love Your Blog!!!
    Happy PPF!!!
    I am sorry about your friends pet~

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  40. Sorry about LuAnns baby! Always so sad to loose a family member!! I am in love with your messy art! I do so much intuitive art that I imagine I do go to is for comfort. Also I find writing is a comfort too!! Especially if I can get a poem out of the pain!! Such a pretty new banner too! Love the quote on the end of your post...a great message Linda!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  41. Lovely art pieces again this week, Linda. :) I feel so bad for LuAnn and her husband on the loss of their sweet Ginger. It is heart-wrenching to lose a beloved fur-kid. :(

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  42. thanks so much for your lovely comments on my lemons. Yes, I do use art to get through stuff that's hard to wade through emotionally. I'm so sorry your friend is going through this pain. It's so hard to lose a pet, it leaves an empty hole. You're a lovely friend to know she needs her space for a little while. When she's ready she'll love you even more when you're there but knew to give her space. Your messy journal page is spectacular, love the color.

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  43. love all the red in the art piece

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  44. So sad about Ginger ... It's hard saying goodbye to a beloved pet. Love all the different works of art you made. Those red flowers on your card, are those stamps? It looks great! Art always functions as an outlet for my emotions, whether good or bad. I always find it fascinating to see how my feelings are translated into the art I make. And in that way I find it very healing...

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  45. Happy PPF
    Yummy and Wow

    Thanks for dropping by my blog today

    Much love...

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  46. Gorgeous artwork over all. I epecially liked the transport one. Maybe because I have no trip planned.

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  47. Lots of lovely projects. Love the page for Fifty Shades of Red. Thanks for stopping by.

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  48. Your messy journal page is really neat! :)
    Sunny greetings from Finland!

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  49. Your art journal page is fantastic. Blessings!

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  50. Such nice art his week. I really love the card for M M and M and your journal page is gorgeous too! I was sorry to read about your friend's dog. Animals really do become part of the family.

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  51. I love the messy journal page! Also those pigs look happy for Valentine's month!!

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  52. All so wonderful. I especially love your 50 Shades of Red journal page. Only at first glance I saw the capital "R" and formed the word Rat instead of aRt. LOL

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  53. Lovely card and thank you so much for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... :)

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  54. So sorry about Ginger. This is a great post. Love the art especially the red. Looks like a good Irish lunch. Have a great weekend.

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  55. It is always hard to lose one of our beloved furry friends. Your eclectic artwork is wonderful.

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  56. Art always brings me back to my center. I love your sweet postcard :)

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  57. Wow - love the art journal page! It is never easy to lose a pet. They leave paw prints on our hearts. Thank you for your kind words on my blog!

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  58. Hi Linda
    I love your RED journal page - it would sit beautifully on my wall with red themed art!
    So sorry your friends lost their beautiful family member....
    My daughters 17 year old Jack Russell Roxy died in January - she was the eldest of their four daughters - the other three are human! Roxy was 17 years and their second daughter Zoe is 13yrs.
    Give them a hug for me please Linda.
    Love
    Shane x

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  59. So much great art to see Linda. You are always impressively productive :)

    The food looks great... as always!

    Karen x

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  60. It's always sad to loose a loved pet, but now doubt they'll have lots of happy memories to help through the healing times.
    Love the journal page Linda, and the messy theme is perfet cor our challenge.
    Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
    Avril x

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  61. Hi Linda! So sorry for your friend's loss. Our fur babies are family too! Your lunch looked soooo good and your art for this week is beautiful. I like the journal page, it's quote and colors. Hope you have a fantastic upcoming week! Hugz, Rasz

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  62. I am sorry for your friend's loss. Your cards are beautiful and I love your art journal page too.

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  63. Your ART piece is wonderful dear Linda.
    Very sorry for Luann's loss of her beloved Ginger.
    So sad and hard to say goodbye I'm sure.
    Trying to catch up after being unplugged again from blogland.
    oxo

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  64. What a bountiful week! I am sorry to hear about Luann's loss. Our four legged family leave a gaping hole when they leave us.
    ~~ Irene

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