Blooming Poppies and Art Challenges

  For anyone who doesn't already know, the poppy (the big red Oriental variety) is my very favorite flower. Each spring I anxiously watch and wait for my next door neighbors' poppies to emerge and bloom. This week they did not disappoint! I just have to get a few pics each year and of course I can't resist getting a close up of the magnificent center too.

  Here's an ATC I created for the June lottery at the Paper Traders Yahoo Group :

  I used a blotted paper towel for the background. Mermaid poste and German border are from ARTchix Studio.  The theme at Inspiration Avenue this week is a nautical theme so I'm linking this to their challenge.
 

 Two new (for me) challenges I'm also linking this to is Glue It Tuesday at artsyville  hosted by Aimee and  Simon Says Stamp and Show who's theme is anything with the letter "s".  I used a stamp, background is splattered, it's a seaside theme, and the border is a seashell border. I'm also linking the following two cards to SSSandS:

 

  Products used: white cardstock; Mariposa printed cardstock;  Vivid!  Spring Green ink; PSX stamp and black ink; Prima paper flower and leaf; Martha Stewart seam binding ; Spellbinder's Grand Calibur die cut machine and Big Scalloped Ovals Lg. dies.

 

  Products used: green notecard; white cardstock; Colorbox yellow pigment ink; PSX stamp and Adirondack Slate Grey ink; Flower Soft printed cardstock frame and flower bits; apricot silk ribbon; Offray sheer dotted ribbon; Spellbinders Grand Calibur die cut machine and Elite M-Bossabilities plate.

  I've seen at least several other bloggers I visit who link to these challenges so I thought it'd be fun and a way to meet some new artists. Check them out, be inspired,  and challenge yourself  also!

  My last art contribution for this week is for the Color This Quote Challenge for June hosted by Jessica Sporn at Artists In Blogland. Each month we are given a quote to interpret/ use in our art. June's quote is 

" May there be peace and prosperity within your walls. " Psalms 122.7. I chose a more subdued palette for my project which I made in my 5" x 8 " Strathmore Visual Watercolor Journal:

   Doorways- ARTchix Studio; image -Somerset Studio; crocheted lace-JoAnne's Fabric. I aged everything with a combination of Distress Weathered Wood and Vintage Photo inks.Embellished with antique brass bits and a chipboard dove (Michael's) painted white with edges sponged in Adirondack Slate Grey ink.  Hey, I can include this also in the Glue It Tuesday challenge :)

 I'm also excited to start participating in the Color Of Summer challenge which begins on Monday and is hosted by Kristin Van Valkenburgh on her blog Twinkle, Twinkle .

 Of course I'm also linking up to Art Journal Every Day, Paint Party Friday, and Show and Tell Saturday! I'll be seeing you around ... 

" Notice what happens when you follow your intuitive feelings. The result is usually increased energy and power, and a sense of things flowing." Shakti Gawain