Tuesday Trigger-Happy Happy Joy Joy

    I'm thrilled to have gotten some time to play and create for this week's Moxie Fab World's
 Tuesday Trigger and to be able to link now to my very own blog! Cath certainly has an eye for choosing the most enticing photos to inspire and I participate as often as I can. It's such a fab way to exercise your creativity.
                                      
                     So, here's the trigger photo:

                            and here's the card I made:

    I was drawn to the retro colors and varying patterns in the original photo so I was pretty straightforward with the colors and patterning for my card. Products I used are flocked patterned cardstock-La Creme Matstock, floral patterned cardstock-the Cafe Mediterranean (both DCWV); clear stamps-sentiment, leaves (Papertrey Ink); bakers twine (Martha Stewart); inks-Jet Black Staz-On (Tsukineko), Olive Pastel (Clearsnap), silk daisy, orange button, white notecard,white cardstock, orange cardstock.

        You can see previous cards I'd done for a variety of Moxie Fab World challenges here.
It so much fun checking out others' takes so I'm off to go visit a few more. Thanks for stopping by.

   "They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But man, there's no line to art." 
                                                                                                                      Charlie Parker

A Sassy Art Journal Spread

   I've been following Julie Fei Fan Balzer's blog for a little while now and try to participate in her Art Journal Everyday project as often as I can. She is posting it weekly this year making it much more attainable (for me at least). My previous spreads can be found here on my photostream on Flicker.

  This spread is my sassy spread. I took the word block from an Oprah magazine (lower left pg.). I had color blocked my pages quite awhile ago and knew that one day it would come together somehow. For me writing is almost as therapeutic as creating art so I typed up each word separately and decided to use every one of those words in a "poem".

    I knew I needed to add art of some kind and once I came across these little bits (2" x 2" -twinchies) I'd made quite awhile ago for a challenge on Helga's blog I knew they'd go perfectly on this spread. Here they are close up:

I do love how the vibrant colors and words mesh so well!

 When you have a moment please check out Balzer Designs. Julie offers a plethora of art, tips and  techniques to motivate the creative part of you. She also offers online classes and I'm soooo close to signing up for her Stamp Carving 101 class-it looks fabulous!! I just need to be sure I have the time to commit along with other projects I'm involved in. If anyone has taken this class I'd love to know what you thought of it! Thanks so much for stopping by...

"Do what you love-it's what you were meant to do."

A 4x4 for Lenna

  First a quick note-Shane and Ronnie please contact me with your mailing address to claim the piece of art you won in my previous post-thanks!

  I've been a part of a private yahoo group since its inception-hmm...2006 perhaps. Though some of the artists have changed it's been such a learning and gratifying experience. I am honored to have these books filled with  art from such wonderful creative artists. Each year we choose a shape or size and then add personal preferences. We have already done gothic arches, houses, skinny pages, etc. This past year (with 16 members) we chose to make 4x4s for each other. Each month we have a partner to create for until everyone has received from everyone. This is my next to last 4x4 for this round and I'm thrilled to have had  my friend Lenna Andrews to create my page for. She is a wonderful artist and teacher and hosts the best swaps-check out her impressive blog sites. I happen to know a few things about her :) and so in working with her theme of quotes (also a love of mine) I also made it a personal piece.

 The base was made with fabric. The image is from ARTchix Studio  a favorite place of mine and Lenna's. I remembered that the theme for her wedding to Steve was stars so I thought this was a perfect choice. I added star sequins, glitter glue and a tiny ceramic heart. The quote "Don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars" is a very favorite of mine from the movie "Now Voyager" with Bette Davis. In the movie she plays the part of Charlotte who utters these words to her lover. I'm not going to reveal the second side of this 4x4 because I want it to be a surprise. I love surprises don't you? A bientôt... 

                                     "Friendship? Yes, please." Charles Dickens


       

Giveaway Winners

  Merci beaucoup to those of you who participated in my giveaways and also for your lovely comments. I so appreciate it.

   My friend LuAnn came over to visit (thank you dear friend for the wonderful, generous birthday gifts-you spoiled me so!) and I had her close her eyes and draw one name at a time for each giveaway. Here they are....

   Shane and Ronnie please contact me with your snail mail addresses. I have addresses for Judy, Cathy and Joy. Congrats!

  Would love to hear from you again. As I build my blog I plan to add some tutorials/techniques, more art and of course more giveaways. Until next time-

               "You never know what good things will pour in when the heart is open to life."

It's a Double Birthday and a Giveaway Day!

    I finally decided to start a blog to have a personal link to contests and challenges I play in, for a way to share arty inspirations and techniques and as a way to pay it forward by offering giveaways. My son's been tutoring me and helping me set things up. It's still so new to me so please bear with me as I learn. Suggestions are most welcome. A shout out to the creative team at Shabby Blogs for the beautiful banner at the top.They have a huge selection of delightful free blog couture along with tutorials on using them in your own blog.
   NOW,there's no better a day than today to celebrate my blog's 1st live posting day and my birthday at the same time! And what's a celebration without gifts I say...so I am giving away 5 pieces of my art!

                                       Giveaway #1 Bird of Air Mini Wood House (2" x 2 1/2")

                                        Giveaway #2 Paris Mini Wood House (2" x 2 1/2")

                                  Giveaway #3 Warm House Wood Mini House (2" x 2 1/2")

                                             Giv away #4 Gift of Nature collage  (3" x3")

                                         Giveaway #5 Each Beloved Hour collage (3"x 3")


    If you'd like a chance to win one of these pieces please leave a comment by Sunday March 18th. Five winners will be randomly selected on Monday March 19th.
    Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll leave you for today with this beautiful quote-
  
               "May your walls know joy,
                May every room hold laughter,
                And every window open to great possibility."  Tony Lapshinoff