Monday, February 11, 2019

This Week's This n That


 Thursday is Valentine's Day! Do you celebrate? Like it? Not so much?
I have always loved Valentine's Day since I can remember- even when I didn't have a "valentine" to call my own. I have always chosen to celebrate by remembering my friends and love sending out handmade cards and sometimes little bits like bookmarks, ATCs and such. And with my love of this holiday it's no wonder our son was born on this day- 31 years ago now! He was due on the 7th but I guess was too comfy inside to come out when he was supposed to:):) I love my Valentine baby-
                                       happy birthday Todd!
 I'll share my canvas ATC and vignette with Moo Mania and More (theme is "Love is in the Air").

 Thanks to this blog post by Susi I have made a book to hold all of hubby's recent birthday cards:

 this is the simple cover. I used heavy cardboard recycled from a watercolor sheet tablet and covered the three sections with this beautiful blue and gold marbled book paper I have had for some years now. The photo here  just doesn't do it justice.  I stamped the name and numbers from an old foam set and fussy cut them.



the inside front and back cover. These are the quotes I had found online, printed, and cut apart to put in his lunches  (and sometimes in a book too) that he took for work each day starting the week before his birthday. I hope you can read them-funny!

 And this is the book filled with cards:


 Thank you for the wonderful idea and inspiration dear Susi!

For T Stands For Tuesday I'll share a recent meal I had when I was out for "Girl's Night" . We went to the Artisan Wine Bar (which I have mentioned before and have gone to many times):


 I had a Mediterranean salad with olives, feta cheese, tomatoes and mixed greens in a light herb lemon vinaigrette. Warm pita bread and grilled lemon came with it-SO good! My wine of choice  (my usual here) is Peirano - a California cabernet.

 For Art Journal Journey the theme this month is "the colour yellow" so I'll share this page from my Dylusions Dyary calendar journal:


 The grey background (which I in turn extended to the left side of the spread) and flowers were already printed on the page. I colored them in with markers and then used a Tim Holtz layering stencil and yellow acrylic paint to add the sun rays.

 Lastly I will share the full "Grungy Flowers" journal page I painted with acrylics and used in the digital pic I began with in my last post:


 Inspiration from Shawn Petite's You Tube videos. She is a master of grunge!
Sharing with Paint Party Friday.

 I'll be hunkering down for a round of ice and snow coming our way :(. Hoping it isn't too bad. I worry about everyone that has to go out and drive in such nasty conditions.

 Have a wonderful week everyone!

  " Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet."    Katharine Lee Bates 

47 comments:

  1. Stay safe in that wintery storm-I saw the east and west coast are both getting hit with storms.
    I enjoyed sending Valentine's cards when I was in school-but as I got older-not so much. I love the idea of Valentine's Day but we don't usually celebrate it as a holiday-although I do usually make Hubs favorite foods.
    Happy Birthday to your son-that makes the day very special for sure.
    I loved your art pages with the flowers-liked both of them allot.
    and I love that idea for the book with the cards-I may make one of those for the homemade cards I have received.
    Your salad looks really delicious-I love a good salad
    Happy T hugs Kathy

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  2. I can't say I need to celebrate Valentine's Day, but I often get into making Valentine's art. I guess it's kind of weird, but what can I say. I do enjoy your art today Linda,especially the cool birthday card book. And your salad looks yummy. I can tell it has been winter for a long time because I am craving salad all the time lately. Hope you have a wonderful T day. Hugs-Erika

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  3. Your card journal turned out beautifully! I really need to try this tutorial. Your journal pages have so much of spring in them. But your digital flower painting is so lovely. It is definitely something that would look beautiful framed.
    Hubby and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. I look at it as just another day for commercialism and money making. I think that we should show our love everyday of the year. But I do love vintage valentines and making a card if time permits. Because who doesn't love frilly hearts with lace and cupids.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  4. Beautiful art, my fave is the lovely rose painting. Stay safe if the weather is bad. Your food and wine at the restaurant looks great. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  5. oh my, these grungy flowers are my favorite! this book à la susi turned out wonderful, a great way to keep the cards for another flipping through! happy t-day!

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  6. Such a happy post.

    Happy birthday to your son on Thursday.

    The book is a great idea and a good way to keep the cards all in one place to share with others. Well done to you and to Susi as well.

    The salad and drinks look very nice and tasty-I do love salad.

    The journal page is very beautiful and the digital fantastic

    Have a great T Day

    Love Chrissie xx

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  7. You are on a roll dear Linda! Each single piece is a pleasure to look at! Wonderful made!I love the cheerful pages! The booklet for the cards turned out fantastic! Thank you for mention me especially. Thank you for joining us at MOO MANIA & MORE, Art Journal Journey and happy T-Day! The salad looks divine!
    Happy week my dear artsy freind!
    Hugs Susi

    Happy Tuesday dear friend!
    Big hugs,
    Susi

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  8. You created a super card journal, its a super way to keep safe and store special cards.
    Your art projects all look beautiful and I really like the digital one.
    Happy Birthday to your son, your Valentines day pieces are fantastic.
    Happy T day wishes Linda.
    Yvonne xx

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  9. Your page of the Dylusions Dyary calendar journal looks so sunny and bright, I love these colors you used to paint on the flowers!
    Your grungy flowers are gorgeous!
    Thank you so much for linking to my theme "Yellow" at AJJ!
    Wish you a happy day!

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  10. Great mix of artwork and food. Happy T-Day!

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  11. I'm loving the fabulous card journal that you made for your hubby - perfect! The little cherubs on your ATC are adorable and I'm going to be singing the song from your journal page for the rest of the day now 😁. It's such lovely design too! Happy T Day! J 😊 x

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  12. Where to start ~ so much creativity here ~ Love the 'sunshine on a cloudy day' creation ~ and a Valentine son ~ how wonderful ~ Happy Birthday, Todd ^_^

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

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  13. I always enjoy seeing folks' ATCs. How sweet :)

    Now that's a salad! I can see why you go back there. Happy T Tuesday

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  14. I must admit we dont celebrate Valentine’s Day, we Are going out for lunch, not really for Valentine’s Day, my husband spoils me every morning by bringing me my tea in bed, he knows that’s the way to my heart, LOL.
    I love the saying you have saved, all so true, ha,ha,
    Have a great week, jan #17

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  15. Valentine's Day was fun in elementary school. We made mailboxes from a shoebox or an empty tissue box. Then delivered a valentine to each classmate's mailbox. And now any excuse for chocolate is a good thing. Your sunny yellow page is most welcome as snow has arrived and sleet and ice are expected later tonight. Happy T Day

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  16. Love the art today! Especially the holder you made for the birthday cards. Your salad looks very yummy!
    Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I do a countdown for Spring every year on my Facebook page LOL! Gets me through the tough days of winter :) Which has been way too hard this year it seems.
    Happy T Day!!!

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  17. You did a fab job on the birthday card book, Linda. Susi must be delighted with the response to her genius idea. It's on my to-do list too. I love the last quote about doing our stupid stuff before the internet. So true!

    Your "Grungy Flowers" page came out wonderfully! I love it.

    Hope the storm isn't as bad as predicted. Stay safe!

    Happy T-day! Eileen xx

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  18. really nice flowers :)

    I don't do valentines day, I don't think you need a specific day to show someone you love them *shrug*

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  19. So many cool things! We don't do Valentines day anymore...haven't for years.
    Happy T day!

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  20. No, we don't celebrate Valentines day. It seems to me to be an american thing. One of my Postcrossing friends in Finland mentioned that over there it is called Friendship Day. Now that is more appropriate I think.
    My friend's son is called Valentin, but I don't think he was born on san Valentino. They probably just liked the name.
    You did a very good job of that card book. It is such a great idea.
    Your artwork is lovely too, especially the grungy flowers.
    Happy belated T-Day,
    Lisca

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  21. Fine Artwork for the challenge of MooMania
    LOVE IS IN THE AIR, I like it!

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  22. LOVEly post Linda.... those flowers are beautiful.

    Keeping it simple over here for Valentines Day.... cards and chocolate and a nice meal. Hope your weather doesn't get too nasty.

    Kx

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  23. I have made hubby a card as I know that even though I tell him not to waste his money I will receive a Valentines card from him! Valentines day for me is little like Halloween - I love the art involved but can take or leave the celebrating! The shops here are full of hearts and roses and special deals on meals - I'll be happy with a coffee and a panini when we go to town tomorrow! I love your journal page and the canvas ATC looks great! Your salad looks tasty - love warm pitta bread!!! Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx

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  24. I am sorry for visiting so late. To see why that is, please see this post (https://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/2019/02/food-might-not-be-my-friend.html) which will explain and I won't have to for each T Tuesday participant I visit.

    Your Valentine is beautiful. I'm not into the commercialism, but I do enjoy the day.

    What a great way to remember your husband's 60th. I think Susi's tutorial on how to make that card holder has come in quite nicely.

    I LOVE grunge, so that grungy page is beautiful, but I am also pleased with the way you shared your beautiful yellow themed art with us using Rike's theme at Art Journal Journey. Thanks for sharing.

    Love the Mediterranean salad you had at girl's night. Nothing better than feta cheese. Thanks for sharing your art, your Valentine, your salad, and your wine with us for T this week, dear Linda.

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  25. Such a beautifully creative Valentine ~ Happy Valentine's Day to you!

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

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  26. Beautifully painted 'Grunge' flowers ~ sooooo creative!

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

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  27. Happy Valentine's Day! Your art is so charming and sweet. How beautiful that your son was born on this day.

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  28. Love your rose art work. It's fantastic. Congrats both you and your boy.
    Happy PPF xx

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  29. Happy PPF and have a great weekend Linda. Hugs, Valerie

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  30. I love grunge and I also love your art journal pages!!!
    Happy PPF

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  31. Beautiful art this week Linda, love your flowers painting. Happy belated to your son!

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  32. I especially enjoyed your grungy flowers this morning...LOVE them.

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  33. Lovely floral art and a great idea to keep cards in a handmade book.

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  34. We don't really celebrate Valentine's day. This yaer we just sxchanged cards. That salad sounds nice, though. Love your artwork and that journal page is gorgeous.

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  35. I love Valentine's Day too, and I send cards to my friends and family. This year I braved the snow and rain to make a giant heart in the snow in the backyard so it was visible from all the bedrooms upstairs. Happy PPF!

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  36. I enjoyed the card shower and nos the book. Fabulous. Happy birthday to yohr Valentine son
    Happy you dropped by my blog

    Much🌻love

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  37. Hope you had a lovely Valentines day Linda, I have to say that Hubby & I have decided to recycle past cards now. I know how it can stress him out if he forgets and after 30 years I do not need a card to know how much he cares but I always love seeing what people create and romance always gives off a positive vibe. Yours is a beauty.
    I love your book of cards, what a fabulous idea but my love is for those acrylics, I adore that vase of flowers. Reminds me of a recent tutorial from Donna Downey which I must have a go at when I get a spare moment.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend & a belated PPF Hugs Tracey xx

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  38. I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. :)
    I really like this card and the quotation. Beautiful art works. :)

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  39. "Grungy Flowers" is great. It's interesting how these type of journal pages are made...
    We've had very, very slippery. Today sun's shining and ice and snow are melting, wuhuu!

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  40. What a wonderful book created with Bill's birthday cards ~ you are sooo creative!

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

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  41. What a week of divine creations on your post ~ thanks, Linda for being you!

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

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  42. WOW! I love your acrylic painting, and your yellow AJJ page will have me humming that tune the rest of the day LOL!
    Thanks for the T-day visit

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  43. Loving your gorgeous Art Susi. What a great idea of how to keep your hubby's birthday cards too!
    Yummy meal photo :D)
    Wow, the grungy flowers I absolutely love! Happy PPF

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  44. Linda, what a great memory book for your husband. A way to remember how much he is loved on "down" days! I really love the grunge floral and would love to be able to learn to do that with my paintings! I will check Shawn"s videos. You always do florals so well! Thank you for your comment on my blog. Stay cozy!

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  45. Your art journal pages are always divine! XoX from me and Ms. Z ^_^

    ps. Thanks for your well wishes ~ am better ^_^

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

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  46. my favorite today is teh sunshine spread. :)

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