The Last of October

 Hello! Thought I'd begin this post with  a painting I did inspired by the last of the zinnias I picked from the garden (you can see that pic here) and a video from Tamara Laporte's FREE!! Life Book Creativity and Wellbeing Summit. This lesson was taught by Janet Skates called "Bouquet of Joy". It was a 3 week free event of videos and instructors and interviews and it was fab!! Anyone else watch the daily vids? I watched all of them but only got to this lesson which really spoke to me. The videos were only available for a limited time.

 For T Stands For Tuesday:

 I'm sharing my coffee and a breakfast veggie wrap I had while we were in Cape May again last month. I have had this wrap several times at our favorite place for breakfast and it is so yummy! Also too much at once so I always get another meal of it:)  Last week although I did participate and visit the TSFT gang, I forgot to link myself so if you wish to see what I posted it's the post just below this one;) And Deb- someone commented that you would have loved to see my whimsical cat painting so if you want to see you can find it here:)

 For Tag Tuesday  (theme is Edgar Allan Poe) and Simply Neutrals Tuesday  I made this tag:

Larger view:

 For both the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Halloween/Spooky) and the Simon Monday Challenge (Take Flight), along with Art Journal Journey (Creature Comforts) I have one last Halloween inspired project:

Larger view:

 Bat girl loves flying about with the bats :) Background began with a coat of black gesso. I then stenciled and lightly sponged on white gesso. That sweet girl image-yes- I have been using her and her friends quite a bit lately- is from the Simon Says Stamp Shop  Inky Antics Clear Stamp set- designed by Andrea Ockey Paar. I also used lots of stickers and some paper bits from my stash.

 I wish to thank all the artists who linked their fabulous journal pages at Art Journal Journey-you all rock! Over 100 joined in(some of you at least several times) guided by my chosen theme this month! It was a pleasure to guest host and to see everyone's art-thank you, and to hosts Susi and Elizabeth!!

 It goes without saying that I will also link to Paint Party Friday later this week. Happy week, and thanks for stopping by-mwah!

"Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy."  Sarah Ban Breathnach

Charmed Morsels

 Still having lots of fun with my Halloween supplies but that's where it ends- no trick or treating, no costume parties for us. How about you?

 This journal page is meant for  Art Journal Journey ( I am hosting this month with the theme("Creature Comforts"); Try It On Tuesday (Trick or Treat); and the new Simon Monday Challenge ( Halloween/Spooky). Sharing later this week with Paint Party Friday and I will also share this on Instagram for a mood board challenge;):

 I used several stencils and Marabu art sprays then just began gluing on collage sheet bits, washi tape, fabric ribbon, glittery stickers - all from my stash, and a Snarky Stickers sentiment (Tim Holtz). I am having way too much fun with those sentiments and will have more journal pages to show soon. I must say this sentiment  is quite tame though compared to many of the others in the booklet-lol!

 For my T Stands for Tuesday peeps (hosted by the wonderful Bleubeard and Elizabeth). I just saw that dear Elizabeth is not feeling well at all so get well wishes and healing vibes to you <3
 I will share lunch and drinks at  an old establishment that just celebrated 50 years!

 Here's a peek at parts of the menu:

 I think you can click for a better look if you wish. Little story about this place-

 both hubby and I used to go to Stahley's Restaurant and Bar with friends after work- way back when we were single and didn't even know each other. And this is the first time we have gone there together and after many years later! Funny thing is that it all looks just the same:):) And the food is still great with very reasonable prices!

 I had a crab cake sandwich (very good) along with water and a glass of chardonnay. Bill had a steak sandwich  (which he declared was excellent), a beer, and we shared a basket of sweet potato fries. We'll definitely be going again in the near future!

 Finally I put all my summer things away (sad face) and got out clothes, boots and such for the fall/winter. I also cut the last of the zinnias from the garden to enjoy, even creating a journal page around it (I'll share that another time):

  There was no editing of color here- these zinnias are truly that vibrant and I loved having them to really brighten things up. So, wishing you all flowers and sunshine and bright days! Til next time...

" The garden of love is green without limit and yields many fruits other than sorrow or joy. Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh."  Rumi

Whimsical and Spooky

  Are you having some crazy weather like we are? It was so humid, muggy and in the upper 80's F early last week that we actually had to put the AC on for a day. And then- it got cold!! Cold enough that we then had to switch to heat, and I even put the flannel sheets on the bed! No wonder people get sick...

 For T Stands For Tuesday:

 Having my morning coffee and doing some reading in a cozy corner.

 For Art Journal Journey (where I am guest host this month with the theme of Creature Comforts) I have this page:

 I followed another Painting With Jane You Tube video and had such fun doing this one- especially the technique for creating the fence!  There are over 60 fabulous entries so far at Art Journal Journey and they are all so creative, so do have a look, and then join us won't you?

 This tag is meant for several challenges- the Simon Monday Challenge (theme is "Starry Night"); Tag Tuesday (theme is "Bunting or Flags); and the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Anything But a Card):

 So difficult to capture shimmer, gemstones and sequins. Besides assorted stickers, patterned paper, silver cord, gemstone stars from my stash I used images from Inky Antics Muse News and Long Hair Flair stamp sets designed by Andrea Ockey Paar (I've been using them alot lately:); Archival jet Black ink; sentiment is an old Cat's Life Press stamp; shimmery purple spray ink (Inkadinkado); dry chalks; Tim Holtz mini stapler; white acrylic paint; and a Signo uni-ball white gel pen.

 I will also be linking to Paint Party Friday !

 Thanks so much for popping in. Will be around to visit you too. XO

" When witches go riding and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers 'tis near Halloween".     Unknown

Up For Challenges

 Well hello! Look at me posting twice this week;) I don't know how some of you post several times a week, and some of you daily! This week I just had a lot going on, creating things for many challenges so let's get to more of them shall we?

 First up is a journal page made for the Art Journal Journey challenge which I am hosting this month with the theme of  "Creature Comforts". You can read the description and see lots of inspiration here. And do join us won't you? Nothing brings comfort in the fall like a warm quilt, and fall foods-like pears.  I stitched the pear images to the background page and used a Tim Holtz Occasions sticker.

 For the Simon Monday Challenge (Cityscape) I have this card:

Products: white notecard; patterned paper; Tim Holtz layering stencil- Rays and Small talk Occasions stickers; Hero Arts rubber stamp-International Skyline; postage washi tape (unknown); Versafine Onyx Black ink; Archival Buttercup ink; tiny heart (Doodlebug Design Inc.).

 For Tag Tuesday(Bunting or Flags) and the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Anything But a Card) I made this:

 Products: manila tag (Ranger); patterned paper and twine from my stash; garland (Studio Calico); girl and sentiment (Muse News Stamp set(designed by Andrea Ockey Paar for Inky Antics); Peerless watercolors; Versafine Onyx Black ink; Archival Pink Peony ink; gel plate print from my stash; sequin waste; rub on letters (Making memories); Tim Holtz mini stapler.

 And finally I have another journal page meant for Try It On Tuesday (Black, White and 1 Other Color) and Paint  Party Friday:

  I was playing with my black and grey Marabu art sprays thru a stencil on this page and left it a few days- and then the Try it on Tuesday challenge appeared along with my new Andrea Ockey Paar stamps (LOVE!) and I just had to play along:)

 I find that challenges like these keep me fresh, on my toes, and even out of my comfort zone at times, what about you?

 Have a fabulous upcoming weekend! I hope all that were somehow in Hurricane Michael's path have fared well through its destructive path. Thanks for popping in!

" You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things."   
                                                            Nate Berkus

This and That

Hello! Seems like suddenly I've got lots to post so I expect to post twice this week-something I haven't done in a long time;)

 I am guest host at Art Journal Journey this month and have chosen the theme "Creature Comforts". You can go many ways with the theme such as using rich autumn colors, creating a journal page around what brings you comfort, or going literally with creating a creature - Halloween or otherwise. I do hope you'll join in, and for really wonderful, creative inspirations do visit the link ups!

 Here is another entry from me:

 Special friends I have "met" blogging bring me much joy and comfort as do the lovely notes and such I occasionally receive from some. This beautiful tag was sent to me in 2012 by my dear friend Patty S. and I decided to use it in one of my calendar journal pages. I know some of you have asked- although Patty isn't currently blogging you can catch her gorgeous art and photography on Instagram:)

 And here are my September calendar spreads:

 For T Stands For Tuesday I have a special lunch to share that I had while in Cape May a few weeks ago:

 Finally I got to taste my first lobster roll!!! Now, Erika, I'm sure it doesn't compare to the ones you get to enjoy in New England, but this one was delicious!! I'd looked at reviews for where to get  a really good lobster roll and went with the tiny place called Quincy's near our motel and got take out. We would definitely have one again:)

  We also recently were able to enjoy the Celtic Classic weekend in our home town and the weather was perfect! We got to enjoy some wonderful music, the Tartan Parade, Highland Games, Border Collie Training Demos, and a Guinness (or two;) Here are just a few pics:

   From top- left to right the first 4 pics are of my high school alma mater. I still get goosebumps when I hear them play- this band is the most powerful and grand band of all the schools in our LV area!  Bottom left represent the military, and bottom right- two of the four police horses that patrol our city.

 And above are a few of the bagpipe bands that paraded then played to compete for first place.

 And now how about some Christmas???

WHAT- yes I did say Christmas!! Not that I really want to think of it yet as we are still enjoying summer like weather. But I couldn't resist taking out some of my stash and making two quick and easy cards for the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Let's Get Ready For Christmas!)

 I simply grabbed some holiday stickers and patterned papers and adhered it all to white notecards.

OK, I think you've had enough from me in this post so thanks if you're still here! Will be around to visit you too. Happy Columbus Day in the US, and a Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends - enjoy!

" Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." Franklin D. Roosevelt