Monday, January 8, 2018

BRRRRR!

 Well, winter has certainly settled in in our parts. We haven't had a day in the 30's F since Christmas eve-it's been SO much colder than that even - yikes! To top it off we've had record lows with winds taking us in the single digits and well below zero. Fortunately we've gotten very little snow with it (although now we are getting a mix of sleet and snow as I'm typing) . Edit:We got just a coating on the streets and sidewalks-but enough to make things slippery.
 Lots of layers and comfort foods have kept me warm, beginning at breakfast:


Nothing like hot oatmeal with cinnamon and a big mug of coffee! Sharing with Elizabeth and friends for T Stands For Tuesday.

 Staying indoors also allowed me time to purge while putting away all the Christmas decorations, baking and making a big pot of minestrone soup, and of course play time in the art room. Got my small gel plate out to make backgrounds in my 2018 calendar journal (which you can see here) :





 A journal page :


This is a page in my calendar journal. The Bristol paper pages aren't meant for lots of paints and layers so I'm keeping it simple and trying to use up clip art from my large stash. The background is a deli paper gel plate print. Linking to Art Journal Journey hosted by Erika N. with the theme of 'New Year, New Adventures' this month.

 Another page from the same journal:



 An ATC using my word of the year for the Simon Monday Challenge theme of 'Winter Blues' this week:


 Products: white card stock; blue, turquoise metallic paints; Peerless watercolors; Archival ink pads- Maroon, Jet Black; Bokeh Dots stamp set (Ellen Hutson); face stamp (Dina Wakley/Ranger); washi tape (Recollections); Tim Holtz Idea-ology Chit Chat sticker; Moonshine sequins (Simon Says stamp).

 I'm also joining Paint Party Friday later this week. Be well, and I'll be seeing you...thanks so much for taking the time to pop in!

  " Our self expression is meant to be a manifestation of the silence of our hearts." 
                                        Matthew Fox

46 comments:

  1. Yikes! It's about the same temps here it is where you are, but without any moisture. You have certainly made good use of time indoors. You get such great results from your gelli plate. I can't seem to like mine like you like yours. You get some fabulous results.

    You have created some incredible art in your journal for Erika's theme. I love the balloons, and they are certainly an adventure, whether watching or flying in one. Thanks for sharing these beautiful entries with Art Journal Journey.

    Comfort food is definitely called for this time of year, so thanks for sharing your oatmeal and coffee in that fabulous arty mug with us for T this week.

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  2. You have used your indoor time productively Linda. I love your gelli prints, and what a great page for AJJ. I love the idea of destinations of our dreams because it can be both literal and so symbolic. :) Thanks for joining us. And I will say your oatmeal looks good. It makes the best breakfast on these terribly cold days. I hope you didn't get too much ice in tonight's precipitation. And happy T day too. Hugs-Erika

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  3. we have been really cold here as well but getting a little warm up this week before the super cold comes in again end of week-no snow here either. I love the background pages you made-reminds me of dyeing with fabrics.stay warm and safe Happy T Day Kathy

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  4. Some beautiful gelli plate backgrounds! They will look awesome on projects. Very pretty journal pages as well.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  5. I hope it soon really warms up for you.. Your calendar bgs are great, and I love both of the journal pages. The blue piece is wonderful, my fave today. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  6. Keep warm dear Linda - I love oatmeal with cinnamon as well and I love your fantastic gelli plate backgrounds - the calendar page on Bristol paper for AJJ - thank you very much ♥ for linking to AJJ my friend- the second one is also a lovely composition and your ATC is terrific! Happy T-Day !
    Happy rest of the week and don't forget to stay warm and safe!
    oxo Susi

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  7. It looks you're having a flying year ahead :) hopefully happy too!
    Our winter has been very, very weird. We've had snow, then rain, grey sky for days...last two days clear sky, even sunshine wow! and only -2°C (28.4F). It looks and feels beautiful! Only in Northern Finland and Lapland they've had 'normal' winter.
    Have a good week!

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  8. your gelli prints turned out so versatile and so awesome! great journaling entries and i like the ATC, too. if it was up to me, i would vote for a short winter - maybe 4 weeks of snow, cold and sunny, no slush... and then immediately spring;) well, nobody asks me;)
    happy t-day, have a great week!

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  9. Oh my gosh, always such a variety of goodness in every post of yours! I'm GelliJelly here, so pretty. I do have to say, though, I am still visualizing that blonde with the adorable shoulders that you showed us last post. You should scan that really well and make prints! Don't feel alone with your weather, I live in the Houston area, snow for the second time last week. :-O My dad has always said whenever we get a hurricane it snows come winter. I researched it and dangit if he isn't correct. Go figure! xoxo

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  10. Great art today Linda and I look forward to seeing how you use those lovely backgrounds from your playtime.
    Avril xx

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  11. Wow, looks like you've been busy getting beautifully creative whilst staying warm 😁. Those gelli plate backgrounds are so beautiful and your journal pages and ATC look fabulous! Stay warm and sending Happy T Day wishes your way! J 😊

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  12. Fantastic art pages Linda, and those backgrounds look great as well.
    it sounds like you are having a really bad cold spell, so it sounds like your arty playtime indoors was a whole lot of fun.
    The comfort food sounds yummy.
    Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

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  13. Wonderful gel prints and journal pages are very creative and inspiring ~ could use some of your mojo! ~ Stay warm ~

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

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  14. Sounds like you're having much the same weather as we do at the moment although we did have lots of snow around Xmas. Now gone but heavy frost instead. And like you I'm turning to art to keep me going. Love those small gelli plates, they are so versatile.

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  15. Sometimes I'm quite happy for the weather to be too bad to spend time outdoors, but that's being totally selfish I know. You have used your time so well producing such a lot of great artwork.
    I often think I'd love to ride in a hot air balloon but I'm sure I'd be terrified when the time came to board that little wee basket!!! ;D

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  16. Boy its been cold here too Linda... though not quite as cold as you..Just the last few days we've come out of the really cold days and we've had some much needed rain..
    Love your Art Journal pages. i received a Gelli Plate for Christmas but i have yet to play with it..

    i eat oatmeal for breakfast nearly every morning.. I have maple and brown sugar with raisins and cinnamon and pecans... Yuuummm... Wishing you warmer weather! Hugs! deb

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  17. Yes, I heard the weather has been awful. Luckily we live far enough south that we don't get it so bad. But Spain has had some unusually severe weather. Madrid was paralized a few days ago with snow and there was snow everywhere north of Madrid. We get lower temperatures but sun every day. We are so blessed.
    I am eyeing that oatmeal and cinnamon. Yum, I like that.
    Your pages are great. There is a bit of a blue theme going on it seems.
    Wishing you and your family a very happy (and healthy) 2018,
    Happy T-Day,
    Lisca

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  18. Love your art pieces! those geli plate prints are quite Spring-like in their coloring...just what I needed today. Yes, horribly cold and nasty weather recently and more to come I think! stay warm & happy T day! ♥

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  19. Love all of your creative projects today Linda!!! We've had a warm up this week and some rain :) Those bitter colds were no fun at all.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I joined a Facebook group that does the Dream Wheels, it's run by Lisa Rough and she gives guidelines and suggestions. Here's the Facebook page name...
    Dreamwheel Visionaries
    I think you have to request to join and then if you don't think it's something you want to do just un-join.

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  20. Brrrr. Same weather here with more snow. Looks like your comfort food and time in the art room has you making the best of the weather. Love the colors and textures from your gelli prints. Have a Happy T Day

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  21. Your gelli print backgrounds are gorgeous, Linda! You certainly have used the cold weather productively. I love the blues ATC too.

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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  22. Ooh! Why have I never thought of adding cinnamon to my porridge? - Looking forward to tomorrow morning now! I love your backgrounds - you are wise to stay put and play in your journals, that weather doesn't sound good at all! I l<3ve your ATC! Belated Happy T day! Chrisx

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  23. Love, love your journal pages! ~

    Another storm this weekend ~ rain gratefully but a concern because it is lots of
    rain on top of snow! Mother Nature is having fun!

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

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  24. Gorgeous gelli plate work! I love the style of your word trust...you should so a series in that style. Stunning! I want oatmeal now! Our weather is the same...says its light snowing on my weather app but not sure that it is...yet twenty minutes away they are bombarded with snow and freezing rain. Stay warm!

    Peace Giggles

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  25. Happy PPF, have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

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  26. Wonderful art, especially love your great calendar pages.
    Happy weekend 💕

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  27. Beautiful creations! Never tire of viewing them!
    We seem to have same weather as you ~ rain and warmer then colder on Sunday.

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

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  28. What a wonderful set of artwork this week! I really those gelli plates. They look so good with all of the different colours and designs. I have one but barely use it. You're inspiring me to pull it out!

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  29. Lovely pieces this week Linda, the daffodils are not far off stay patient!

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  30. Lovely artwork...great colors and designs! Loved the journal page too!

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  31. I definitely agree with the restful retreats quote - so very necessary :) Happy PPF from Number 31 :D

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  32. Beautiful pieces. DO you do ATC exchanges. Would luv to exchange with you via snail mail

    much love

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  33. Oh Linda those backgrounds are gorgeous! In fact I think they are too pretty to use as backgrounds... ;-) Makes me want to get out my gelliplate and play again. Although I doubt I would be able to produce something like these ... Poor you that the weather is so cold .... I'm a fellow sun and summer lover so I know what you're going through ... Happy PPF!

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  34. Such lovely backgrounds! I need to get my plate out and play too!

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  35. Yes that is cold. I simply refuse to live in snow country ever again. LOL Your pages are beautiful. Oatmeal sounds really good think I will go make some.

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  36. love your art Linda. And I wish you some warmth. Where I live we have aroubd freezing point every day. I could wish for a little colder.

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  37. Sounds warm and cozy inside! I love making art when the weather is bad outside, and from the looks of it, so do you! Have fun and stay warm!

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  38. Always great to hear from you ~ similar weather hear ~ stay warm and cozy ~

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

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  39. beautiful works!!
    love shilu(desisoul arts)

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  40. I love all your backgrounds for your calendar, they look fabulous and your ATC for the challenge is gorgeous...it's got so much detail and depth! Thank you so much for sharing Linda and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... x

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  41. What lovely gel plate backgrounds and the word inspired art is beautiful too. I hope you stay warm.

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  42. Yikes! So cold! We are so delicate over here ;) Down in the South anyway where I live!!!

    Your oats and coffee sound like the perfect start to the day....

    Looks like you had fun with your geli plate..... I'm getting mine out this week for my next lesson at PYHS this Wednesday. I need to venture out and find some leaves ;)

    Keep warm

    Karen xxx

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  43. Thanks for visiting commenting on Awww Monday post ~ glad you enjoy the little yorkie ~ xxx

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

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  44. Hi Linda, I emailed you, however the mail did not go through. Can you then try emailing me [haikuchallange.gc@gmail.com] concerning ATC swaps

    much love...

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  45. Your backgrounds are fantastic, I love the journal pages and the ATC. Wow, I just got back into that kind of temps/winter . . I feel your pain. Blessings, Janet

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