Wednesday, June 5, 2013

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



47 comments:

  1. I love what you've done with the Quote challenge!

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  2. What a lot of loveliness! Wonderful poppy photos, here the fields and hedgerows are full of them. Love your creations, too! Valerie

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  3. Glad you are playing along with GIT, such a great group of artist just having some fun. Your piece is so uplifting and that quote! I'm jotting it down in my word book so thank you!
    Your anniversary cards are just lovely; who wouldn't want to receive one of those. Yes, I think later this month (#26 years!) I would :-)
    Peace~
    Dawn

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  4. I am amazed at the size poppies can get. They are beautiful. cool sea atc!

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  5. Lovely ATC, the blotted kitchen towel background is fabulous and a perfect backdrop. Great design. Love your pictures of the wonderful poppies too, one of my favourites too. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  6. Your creations are magnificent! Magnificent photos of poppies too. Thanks for your comment on my blog.

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  7. It's great to see you over at Paper Traders Linda. Love your ATCs.

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  8. You've been amazingly busy and producing girgeous art pieces. And of course I too adore those poppies!

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  9. Oh my! Your Oriental Poppies are gorgeous! No wonder you can hardly wait to see them! What a color inspiration they are.
    What a great seaside ATC! I love your background.
    Your two cards are lovely, and your page layout is fab! love that!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  10. oh wow! Love the poppies!! you are so busy with all these challenges!! Enjoy and your work is truly breathtaking! :D

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  11. Dear and beautiful Linda, what a lovely post and creations. They are gorgeous, packed with so much love. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your new creative challenges. Much love to you!!!

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  12. Very lovely here Linda, I love poppies so much, they are so bright and positive. Beautiful journal page too! xx

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  13. Wonderful works again! And you're right: the center of a poppy is magnificent. I'd never noticed before now ....

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  14. The poppies are gorgeous Linda as is your work.... my favourite is your journal piece. You have been so productive!

    Karen x

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  15. Those poppies are wonderful, I have them in my garden to. They are very fleeting flowers but they bloom with such vigour. Gorgious. Your art work is gorgious as well.
    xx

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  16. Sweet ATC and your page for the quote challenge is fantastic. xox

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  17. I love your Quote Challenge page. Beautiful poppy photos too. HPPF!

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  18. Love them all but by the sea is definitely my favorite! HPPF!

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  19. Wow, Linda, what an abundance of beautiful art pieces! I love each and every one. My favorite is the quote from Psalms and the way you have so wonderfully illustrated it. I must say that the poppies photos are beyond gorgeous! the closeup is a Georgia O'Keefe in the making.

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  20. So much beautiful art in every piece. So lovely ♥
    and your poppies are perfect!
    Happy PPF
    Erika

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  21. LOVE your poppies and your art cards!

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  22. every piece is a treasure.. I really love your journal entry ... !
    Fantastic!

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  23. Beautiful art, those poppies are great.

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  24. Linda each piece is beautiful. I am in awe of all that you create each week. I really like the quote at the bottom of your post.

    You asked if I am still in New Jersey. We left years ago but the Jersey shore will always be home.

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  25. OH what fun! SO much to look at. My favorite is the Mermaid Mail ATC. I'm really into atc's right now. I love the colors and that stamp is great!! Happy PPF!

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  26. Some pictures with exquisite colors, beautiful flowers, pure delicacy in those poppies!

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  27. So many wonderful, beautiful things coming out of your studio, Linda! The photos of the poppies are a real treat...they're some of my faves, too. Happy PPF! -janice

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  28. You've had a very productive week, Linda. You created beautiful pieces, and those poppy photographs are stupendous. Blessings!

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  29. poppies are ma favorites too ♥♥♥ I adore your piece for artists in blogland! really storytelling one ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  30. your photos of popppies are striking! Love your journal page, cards and atc. have a wonderful weekend!

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  31. Beautiful poppy photos, i have some in my backyard too and i just love them, wish they would last longer

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  32. Just beautiful artwork. Thank you.

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  33. a feast for the eyes! the poppies are stunning and I especially love your mermaid journal page.

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  34. Beautiful poppy pictures and wonderful collage and mixed media work:)

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  35. Love what you have done with the quote!

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  36. Linda gorgeous cards and the dove works perfectly with that quote!! Lots of lovely work this week including the poppy photo's wow love them in all their rich red!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  37. I am quite partial to the mermaid piece-love the stamp and the paper towel watercolored background.

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  38. Love your pieces, these are so beautiful! Your cards look so luxurious and the mixed media piece is sophisticated and unusual! <3

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  39. Love your art work for the monthly quote challenge. The background shade is so subtle and the elements are so perfect for this month's quote.
    Susan

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  40. I love the pictures Linda, they are beautiful. I like the cards too, full of details!

    Have a greAT DAY!
    Nora

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  41. WOWW!!. Magnificent photos of the red poppies!!. How long do they bloom in late Spring/early summer?. I fall in love with your bottom most art piece, pretty quote (I believe it), and such peaceful colors!. HUGS.

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  42. Poppies are just amazing! Great collages, too. :)

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  43. so much eye candy here! Love your Color This Quote piece -- just beautiful and such a meaningful illustration of the Psalm.

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  44. Wonderful poppies - I love them as well. And your quote challenge piece is lovely.

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