Monday, March 12, 2018

Flower Power

 Hello friends! I survived last week's "blizzard" and hope you did too without too much trouble. We SO lucked out in that although it began with a vengeance, in our town it fizzled and after just about 3 inches the sun came out and began melting it away. I know others weren't so fortunate in the nearby towns and further east, north, and south. Again, some snow is predicted this week... but I am surrounding my thoughts with flowers!



 This CAS card is meant for the Simon Monday Challenge (Spring/Easter Inspiration). 
Products: cardstock, patterned papers, boots clear stamp (Simon Says Stamp Card Kit March 2018 Choose Joy)- I LOVE this kit!! Unfortunately it is sold out but you can still purchase many of the kit items separately. Versafine Onyx Black ink; sentiment (clear stamp Mega Mixed Messages Set (Papertrey Ink); alcohol markers; white gel pen; Stickles glitter glue; Spellbinders Big Scalloped Ovals Lg dies; foam tape.

 I'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Day this coming Saturday  so I was inspired to make some cards, a postcard and a journal page:



 Sharing these with the Simon Challenge - Work It Wednesday (theme is green).
Products: inks- Staz-On Forest Green; Versacolor green tea; Altenew Morning Frost, Lava Rock; Altenew Peony Bouquet stamp and die set; white note card; Neena Classic Coat Solar White card stock (Simon Says Stamp); patterned papers (unknown); Simon Says Stamp dots scallop border die; foam squares.
  
 The postcard:


 collage sheet images (ARTchix studio); various papers including gel print deli papers; sentiment (Ann-ticipations); embossing ink; Verdigris embossing powder (Ranger); Distress Vintage Photo ink; paper flowers (Michaels).

 Page in my calendar journal:


 And now I know why I have always had a deep longing for the Irish, Scottish, and English cultures!!!  ( hey, I asked for a bagpipe as a young child and have always loved plaid and no one in the family could figure out where that came from) Not long ago thru DNA Ancestry I found out I am 37% Great Britain-1st Scottish, 2nd- English, 3rd Irish in that segment; another 16% Irish; 28% SW France; 10 % Italy, Greece; and 4% Swedish. You could have knocked me over with a feather!!! I was always told I was mostly French with some German and Swedish in the mix. Period. The part that really blew me away- Italy and Greece-wha???? Not a drop of German... But I am 100% European (smile- I always thought that). Unfortunately my French side (all on my mother's and a bit on my dad's) came from small villages where adoptions (in both families) weren't recorded. But hey- I'm Irish!! And hubby and I SO want to see Ireland one day. My mom couldn't believe the results when I told her. And she's willing to do the test now too as is my son:)

 Been doing lots of die cutting again- flowers and leaves , and images for my Easter cards,



 while enjoying my morning coffee in my Scottish thistle mug. Joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth and gang for T Stands For Tuesday. ( Eileen did you spot the ATC you sent me behind my mug?;)

 This week ( on Thursday) I'm also celebrating both my birthday (59) and blogiversary (6)! I expect it to be a very quiet day as it's a workday week for most but will make up for it another time.  Thought I'd give you the link to my very first blog post which despite the date at the top was actually published on March 15:) 

 A journal page (Baby's Breath in a Jar):


 I painted this one after watching a few Art Sherpa You Tube videos over the weekend. Going with just the black and white and trying to make a jar look reflective was a bit scary so of course I had to give it a go-and wow- I love how it turned out with just some simple brush strokes! 

 Joining Moo Mania and More (theme is Colour-Effect); Art Journal Journey (theme is Spring); and Paint Party Friday! Thanks as always for stopping in. Sláinte!

              " Find the seed in the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower."  
                                                                                  Shigenori Kameoka

51 comments:

  1. That is a fabulous mug Linda. Interesting how doing your DNA gives you those results. I did mine and they were pretty predictable based on what I knew, with some little surprises. But no Irish. Then we did my daughter's and low and behold she is a little Irish. Must be from my husband, which he didn't know about. Fascinating stuff. I like reading about your DNA results too. ANd you had some great art this week, especially all your St. Patrick's Day pieces. Green is a good color right now. Erin go bragh! And happy T day. Hugs-Erika

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  2. I love your mug too. I took the plunge and just sent my DNA in to ancestory as well. My brother had done allot of geneology but he was stuck around 1812. I have been curious too we always wondered if we had a bit of native american now to wait they said up to 2 months.
    I love your cards and I really love your journal page-how fun for you to know you have some Irish.
    Happy Birthday and bloganiversary
    Happy T Day

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    1. good morning-sorry I could not get the link to work but neat to know the yarn company is still in business thanks

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  3. so many beautiful things you've made! lots of spring inspiration. wishing you a happy birthday! xo

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  4. My friend Sally gave me the DNA test for Christmas, but I haven't even opened it yet. She said she knew exactly before she sent it in, what hers was: all from Great Britain apparently. I really must get mine in one of these days. So enjoyed hearing about yours because I know you always love to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

    You are certainly doing a fabulous job making art every day, it seems. I am always impressed with the quality of the art you put out, too. Everything is lovely, but that jar of baby's breath is simply to die for. It is truly gorgeous.

    Thanks for sharing your art, your DNA results, and your coffee in your Scottish thistle mug with us for T this Tuesday.

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  5. I'll start at the end - I LOVE that journal page, so beautiful! You have made lots of great art again, love the Irish pieces for St Patrick's Day. Interesting to learn about your DNA. Enjoy celebrating on Saturday! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  6. So interesting with your test! I will make this DNA Ancestry test this year as well as we now have it in Austria as well. Hubby says he isn't interested! Wonderful art dear Linda!!!You are such a multi-talented Lady -- Thanks a lot for joining us at Moo Mania & More and Art Journal Journey!
    Happy T-Day! YOur mug is just BEAUTIFUL!
    oxo Susi

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  7. A super post to read today, your DNA results must have been interesting for all of your family.
    Fabulous art projects, I loved the postcard.
    I hope you have a Happy Birthday when your special day arrives
    and happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

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  8. i love your irish-related art pieces! (confess i had to look up the meaning of "Erin go bragh") and what a wonderful mug!! it was interesting to read about the dna-researches... i think this is not that popular here, maybe because it is quite clear that most of our ancestors came out of the woods from here;)
    nice to see your b/w art from your blogstart - you are really talented!
    happy t-day! and erin go bragh!
    smiles, johanna


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  9. Wonderful art today! Your St.Patrick's Day inspired pieces are fabulous and your baby's breath painting is so amazing - beautiful 😁. I'm loving your pretty thistle mug too - wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊

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  10. That b&w looks amazing, really good!
    I've watched Art Sherpa videos too - I like her hair, it rocks! :)

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  11. What a great post Linda.. I did the Ancestry DNA last year and was bowled over by the result too.. 33% Italian.. What??? Where did that come from.. ?? AND... 10% Irish.. !! Now i know why i LOVE the bagpipes...lol It was alot of fun to get that test done.. Oh and i was suppose to have a drop or two of Native American blood in me... well not a drop... lol You just never know huh? Love all your cards and your coffee mug.. I'm definitely going to have to put more effort into celebrating St. Patty's Day from now on! Happy T day! Hugs! deb

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  12. I've never had my DNA tested, but people do always seem surprised by what they find so I think it'd be fun :) Embracing heritage means something completely different now than it used to lol Happy T Tuesday!

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  13. Such a lot of beautiful art Linda!
    Happy T Day!
    Alison x

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  14. Spring has arrived on your blog and in your art. So heart warming to see!

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  15. Love your art, once again you have created such lovely cards! The journal page is beautiful as is the postcard (Country View Crafts theme is Postcard btw)It sounds as though you have lots to celebrate - I would love a DNA test - your results are really Interesting! Have a good week! Happy T day! Chrisx

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  16. your floral cards are so welcome as it's snowing to beat the band outside my window. It was supposed to be letting up about this time, but doesn't look like Mother Nature listened to the weatherman. I did DNA at Ancestry, too. We're not as 100% Italian as we were led to believe. The surprise? 1% Polynesian! Love your Scottish mug and your painting of baby's breath is gorgeous. Have a Happy T Day

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  17. Happy Birthday! I went and looked at your very first blogpost. Time flies doesn't it.
    How i nteresting about your DNA test. Fascinating. Ireland, here we come!
    I love your Ireland art work. Really lovely.
    I love your black and white painting. Amazing. I shall have to look out for that website.
    Happy T-Day,
    Lisca

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  18. thanks for your comment on my blog -- please feel free to share the stickers you received! xo

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  19. Oh I love your cards, they are so pretty! Your journal pages are also beautiful, the baby's breath is lovely. Interesting about the DNA test results...

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  20. Happy Birthday Linda!!!! I love of of your cards today but the painting is my favorite ! You did great with the jar !!!! Hubs and I are thinking about getting the DNA Testing too. It could be very interesting :)

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  21. Lovely Scottish mug! Interesting about your DNA results! I have wondered about all of that, but never did it. Love your beautiful cards and journal page and post card. Happy Birthday and Blog anniversary!

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  22. Love all your Irish cards Linda! My ‘Mc” is Irish. :) And your jar with flowers is amazing! Just gorgeous. I’m glad you’re pleased with it! Xo

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  23. Hi, Linda! Love this post; your artwork is just amazing. Especially the baby's breath in the jar!! Just want to say Happy Birthday; will be sending a card but it will be late. And, your DNA test results are very interesting. jmjmeadows38 at gmail dot com

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  24. Your journal pages are lovely! I really love the Irish theme as I have a lot of Irish ancestry. I haven't done one of those DNA tests but someday I would like too. Your Thistle cup is so pretty!
    Belated Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  25. An interesting post! I love your art. Very inspiring.
    I just play at it all!
    I am adopted and I'm not really interested in exploring my genes. I met her and didn't like her! sigh.

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  26. Just gorgeous artwork, Linda.

    Thank you for sharing it at ART JOURNAL JOURNEY

    Have a wonderful weekend

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  27. Your Irish cards are wonderful! ~ so creative ~ my favorite is the last one ~ 'Baby's Breath in a Jar ~ gorgeous in its simplicity and I love simplicity!

    Happy Weekend to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  28. Happy PPF and have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

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  29. Impressive baby's breath and lovely work this week, happy Birthday and blogiversary, off to check out your first post.

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  30. Thanks for wonderful post. I especially love the page of 'Baby's breath in a jar'. Lovely.
    Happy PPF xx

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  31. That mug is rather lovely!
    We lost power during the Noreaster. What a nightmare!
    Where is spring??
    Happy PPF xx

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  32. Such beautiful St. Patrick's Day art and tags. They all look so pretty and festive. The baby's breath is looking really pretty too. That seems like such a hard flower to tackle. I admire your painting bravery!

    How fun with your DNA results too! I'm looking forward to having that done one day.

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  33. Hi so glad you stopped by desserts bake up wonderful in cast iron-the chocolate chip cookie would be awesome-have fun

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  34. This DNA is fascinating. I love your Irish flavor this week. The very best trips we have taken have been to Ireland. They are the warmest people so I hope you and your husband make it some day. The scenery is beautiful as well. Happy PPF

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  35. Linda, I love all the Irish art! I know I have Irish in my ancestry. I haven't done the Ancestry.com thing but I am so tempted to do it. I agree about the weather. This is the strangest we've had in a while. My daffodils are blooming but are lying down, not standing up. I think spring is surely on the way soon.

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  36. Creativity personified! ~ and preparing your Easter cards ~

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  37. The baby's breath is such a stunning page, I love it.

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  38. We only got a light dusting of Spring snow, which looked so pretty with all the flowering trees and daffodils. I just love it!

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  39. Wow, so much to see here Linda! I love your spring-art (something to enjoy while we wait for the real spring to finally come...) and especially the postcard for St-Patrick's day. How fun that you discovered your ancestry! I didn't even know there were tests like that. Should be interesting to do that one day... That journal page in black and white is amazing!

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  40. Forgot to wish you a wonderful birthday! Enjoy your day, and congrats on your blogiversary!

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  41. Wonderful cards! I especially love that second Erin go Bragh! And that CUP!!!! :-) I love my Irish heritage too.

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  42. love the lasat one even if I have no clue to what "baby´s breath" is

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  43. Happy Birthday. You have been busy. Love all the art you are doing.

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  44. Happy St Paddy's Day to you and your family ~ great Irish creations!

    Happy Saturday,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  45. Happy belated Birthday Linda. ...may all your dreams come true! This is such a fabulous meaty post! We love plaid too my father born in Scotland had an Irish mom. My dad loved to party so it was fitting he passed away st patty day!your irsh art is fantastic and I love the Sherpa art piece...just stunning! Happy 6 years blogging! I thought you were around a lot longer! Thanks for sharing!

    Peace Giggles

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  46. HI Linda! I feel like I just sat and had a cup of tea with you and you filled me in on your week. Your reflected jar and calandar journal page are my favs. I look forward to seeing you next week!
    ~~ Irene

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  47. Oh wow, these cards are FANTASTIC! love reading your entry!
    Thank you for playing along with us over Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! We all hope to see you soon!
    x Zoey

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  48. Your little cards are wonderful--but my favorite is the drawing at the end. :D

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