Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas Art Continues!

  How's everyone this week? Personally , I'm feeling that the days to Christmas are approaching very quickly so I have gone into the "ready,set,GO!" mode to get as many cards and things done as I can. Are you like me? Do you feel like you're not going to be ready on time only to find in the end that you had plenty of time all along? I really try to stay focused on the important things at hand and then whatever else gets done, either gets done-or not :).

 I have been so inspired by Nancy Maxwell James' "Very Vintage Christmas" daily tutorials on her blog which began Dec.1 and ends Dec. 7th. It's not too late to check out her blog posts-and she also offers her tutorials in PDF format if you'd like to give some a try for next year :) Thanks Nancy for so generously sharing your talent and ideas with us!

  These are two of ? many ornaments I'll be sending out this year:


  I created a stocking template then traced and cut them out from 90lb. watercolor paper after gluing patterned papers to one side. Other supplies are: Paper Whimsy images and words collage sheets; gold, silver card stock (Canson); Stickles glitter glue in gold and silver (Ranger); oval punch; scallop punch; gold and silver German dresden borders (Artchix Studio); mini tinsel in gold and silver.

  The next two projects are for the Simon Monday challenge which this week is "With a Flourish".

  Supplies: white note card and cardstock (Canvas Corp); felt scroll tree (Hobby Lobby); silk poinsettia; rhinestone; Diamond Stickles glitter glue (Ranger); Grand Calibur die cut machine and Fleur De Lys die (Spellbinders).

  My second entry for the challenge:

 This tag was inspired by one of Nancy's Vintage Christmas tutorials. Want a free downloadable collage sheet of Christmas tickets? Please visit Nancy's blog posts where she shares the link :)

  Products: tag (Hero Arts); image (Paper Whimsy); silver card stock (Canson); Silver Stickles glue (Ranger); felt glitter tree (Hobby Lobby); ribbon (Paper Whimsy but sadly no longer available); glittery paper scroll sticker (Michaels), music rubber stamp ( All Night Media); Stone Gray Staz-On ink (Tsukineko).

 It's not just about Christmas though. I managed to complete a journal page inspired by a quote Christi Wich ( our online instructor for the 52 Weeks of Creative Abundance course). She encouraged us to create a piece of art around it and I so loved the quote I knew I had to create something.

  I began with a page in my large (9" x 11") journal. The background had been done months ago so I figured it was time to use it. It began with a pencil drawing of a leaf stem:

                                                     (the pod-like stamp is hand carved)



  A variety of green and  yellow acrylic paints were used to fill it in. I then added a bit of blue Caran D'Ache water soluble crayon (LOVE those!) to create more depth. The leaf stem and words were outlined with a charcoal pencil and smudged to complete it. Isn't that such a lovely quote?

 Hope everyone has a great weekend! I'll try and get around to see what you all have created for these challenges.

  Linking to Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Every Day, Creative Every Day, Mandarin Orange Mondaythe Simon Monday Challenge, and Glue It Tuesday.

   There is no such thing as creative and non-creative people, only people who use their creativity and people who don't."   Brené Brown

44 comments:

  1. Great job with your card and tag, such a great festive feeling from them. Thanks for joining us for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

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  2. It's lovely to share how creative you have been. I love the Christmas projects you have been working on. Especially those oh-so-cute snowflakes.

    I am working on my focus! It seems to be a bit all over the place.... the approach of Christmas always seem to do that to me!

    Karen x

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  3. The contrast between your journal page and your Christmas creations is so intense, and wonderful! All beautiful, but I have a soft spot for the vibrant colours in your journal page. Gorgeous!

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  4. What beautiful Christmas art! I love your tags and ornaments! How beautiful they are :)

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  5. Wonderful Christmas projects, and love the journal page with its great quote. Valerie

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  6. Wow you have been busy creating. I love your Christmas projects. The Christmas sock ornaments are so pretty. Some very lucky people will love getting these gifts and cards.

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  7. Love your projects and your journal page is colorful with a wonderful quote. Thank you.

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  8. All your art works are awesome. Love your Christmas projects and your journal page too. The contrast between the background and the leaves have come out so pretty.
    Susan

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  9. lovely Christmas work! and pretty journal page of the leaf stem too!

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  10. I love these original Christmas creations!

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  11. All your projects look lovely! What sweet ornaments and I love the tag technique you used! Happy PPF!

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  12. smashing Christmas projects and love your journal work Linda. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  13. Nice creations! I liked the beautiful words in your card:)

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  14. You are busy with your christmas-projects!!! :-) I always admire the people who get so many things done! I'm a rather slow worker and my intentions often clash with what I'm able to get done ;-)
    I love your bright journal page with that wonderful quote!
    Happy PPF and have a wonderful week end
    Ilona

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  15. Love the christmas projects especially the stocking ones. Your journal page has wonderful colours and is so full of life, the quote is great too. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  16. Wow..so many beautiful and inspiring creations..that quote is amazing! Beautiful tree card..and I love those charming stockings too..how enchanting and elegant! Thanks for all of these magical creations..awesome!
    Victoria

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  17. Linda your work is always so varied and so beautiful. Your Christmas card is lovely.

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  18. love the bright pink and the pod stamp !

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  19. I'm starting to get into the Christmas spirit. love all you've done here. looks like you've had a busy, CreAtivE week!!

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  20. i love what you did with your art journal page. your pod like stamp is great and the colors are beautiful; i love the contrast of the green leafy branch with the warm background colors~!! i agree with you; that quote is wonderful~!
    the stockings, card and tag are all so rich and full of the Christmas spirit.

    loved stopping by and seeing your work.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  21. Thanks for sharing all your Christmas art. You have created some beautiful work :)

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  22. Wow I am impressed with the vintage stockings. Those are simply beautiful.
    Happy PPF
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  23. Linda your works are all so great! I love that last colorful piece so much, full of warmth!

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  24. There are so many wonderful creative eye candy here. I especially like the hand carved pod stamp and the colors you chose. Enjoy this busy season!

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  25. There are so many beautiful holiday creations here. My favorite is the pod stamp and the colors you used. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your lovely comments. Enjoy the holidays!

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  26. wonderful christmas pieces Linda.. and I am totally in love with this amazing art Journal page !

    xxx
    Susi

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  27. Beautiful! The Christmas pieces are wonderful and I love your quote inspired piece. It is so lovely and vibrant.

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  28. Love your pieces and the art journal page! WONDERFUL colors.

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  29. Your Christmas art is very pretty and I especially like the beautiful painting. Love the colors and the leaves!

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  30. You have created very beautiful Christmas items, but it is your art journal page that really got me - probably because of the brilliant colors you chose here. The page spread is wonderful!

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  31. These are gorgeous + a wonderful addition to your decorations! Love the stockings! x

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  32. I love the cards and your fantastic AJ page! Thank you your visit and good wishes for my son.

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  33. Love love love your journal page! Adorable ornaments and pretty card!! Thankfully my daughter has taken over Christmas so that's a huge relief for me!!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  34. I feel so festive now that I've seen all your Christmas art, Linda. :)

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  35. You have created some wonderful christmas treasures this week Linda, Christmas is arriving too fast this year, I am so far behind with things!!!

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  36. Some wonderful Christmasprojects here, but my favorite is the journalpage. Love how you did the leaves!

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  37. Your journal page is bright and cheery and those little stockings are quite lovely.

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  38. That's a super jounal page, the design and colours just jump right out.

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  39. Loving all your beautiful pieces Linda! Missed this post because of "A Very Vintage Christmas" thanks for playing along! :)

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  40. always fun to make holiday gifts. Great colors in your journal! {:-Deb

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  41. Beautiful Christmas pieces and awesome journal page! The colors! <3

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  42. Great words and beautiful glowing colour!
    Thanks for sharing on Mom71:)

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  43. missed this lovely post and just now saw it featured on your "Popular Posts" sidebar...your stockings are even more precious in person...SO delicate and beautiful...mine is hanging from our lace curtain where I can see it and enjoy it all the time ♥

    Your journal page is amazing on so many levels dear one!!!
    oxo

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