It's A Colorful World

 Everything is blossoming here and it makes me so happy to see so much color! Of course, it still goes from warm to cold and back again so the heavy coverlet and socks are still out, but it won't be for much longer;)

 Let's start off with  some delicious food and drink for T Stands For Tuesday hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth:

 Our son recently treated hubby and I to a special dinner for our 60th birthdays and we chose Apollo Grille in town. The food is SO good here! It truly is a treat as it is a bit pricey .We did start with a Caesar salad but I forgot about taking a pic. My dinner in the first pic - a special catch- Rockfish, and it was prepared as was the delicious rice, with lemon, coconut, mango.Yum! A Cabernet and water to drink. Hubby had the shrimp stuffed with crab meat and deemed it mouth watering. His drink was Blue Moon beer. No pics of Todd's or Kyra's meals but they also enjoyed theirs very much.

 I've been having so much fun with Dina Wakley supplies lately so here is a small variety of projects:

 I made this tag by painting the background using DW paints and stencil along with a Stabilo All pencil. The image is from her Collage Collective Book and the words are from one of her Collage Tissue Words packs. I scribbled along the right side with a Fude Ball pen.  And then for fun I added it on one of the pages in the DW Collage Collective book:

 it fits quite well on this page doesn't it?  Joining  Tag Tuesday (Faces); the Simon Monday Challenge (Tag It); and Art Journal Journey (Having Fun).

 Here are a few more circle art pieces I did for Birgit Koopsen's Instagram challenge  of "Everything Circles". It ends as of the 30th and I have kept up every single day-longest challenge I ever participated in (go me!).The only requirement was to have the circle shape somewhere on your art. It was I who chose to literally make circle art and add another piece to the challenge:) I did also do two journal pages just for a change.

 This one came quite quickly cuz that was just how I was feeling that day. I stenciled over a gelli plate print, added the DW Collage Collective face and stitched over a few of the scribble lines already in place, added the computer printed words, then sponged the edges with black ink.

 Another DW Collage Collective face, collage tissue background and sentiment. Butterfly and star stickers from my stash.

 And this one I'll join Moo Mania and More (Spring Fever); and Try it On Tuesday(Springtime) with:

 Tim Holtz Collage Tissue Paper (Symphony), Tim Holtz Botanicals chipboard pieces.

 Joining in at Paint Party Friday too! Enjoy your week, and thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment-much appreciated. <3

   " Mere color can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways."  

                                                               Oscar Wilde

Going In Circles and Having Fun!

 It's been such fun making circle art each day for a 30 day Instagram challenge and I love when I can  link to blog challenges too. So here are a few more. This one and my next one are dedicated to Earth Day (today, Monday,  the day of this post). Of course every day should be considered Earth day, right?  I just want to mention here that the bit stuff that looks like filament behind the words is from a recycled dryer sheet. I use them quite often but have not considered dyeing them which is what Elizabeth of Altered Book Lover brilliantly shared here. Sadly her original blog is locked so she has had to recreate a temporary new blog. Please do visit  her special recycling posts, and wish her a very happy bEARTHday too!      Happy birthday dear Elizabeth!!

  This is my Earth Day #2 circle:

 My next circles have a Spring theme going so I will be joining Moo Mania and More (Spring Fever); The Simon Wednesday Challenge (Spring Mood board); Try It On Tuesday (Springtime); and the Simon Monday Challenge (Going Around in Circles):

 The chipboard violets and girl are Tim Holtz as is the sentiment sticker. Moonshine sequins are Simon Says Stamp. The background for this circle and the previous one were made by applying reinker colors to the backs of Dina Wakley white printed collage tissues then gluing to watercolor paper once dry.

Tim Holtz chipboard, circles die (behind the flower basket) is Simon Says Stamp.

 The following card is meant for a challenge I am entering for the first time and is inspired by this card created by Lorraine of Lorraine's Loft. I guess you can say I "cased" her card but mine is much simpler looking and not near as beautifully detailed as hers. And her coloring of the House-Mouse stamps is fabulous!

The dragonfly wings really aren't that blue but I was unable to get  the right angle for the glitter glue no matter how I tried. Funny thing about this stamp:

 I had almost forgotten this was originally a stamp made many years ago and that I still had it!! This series of adorable designs are now owned and made as cling stamps by Stampendous. The sentiment is an old stamp made by Stampendous. Other products: large notecard (Recollections); Neenah #110 Smooth Solar White card stock(Simon Says Stamp); Jet Black Archival ink; patterned paper(?); Wonky Rectangles dies (Simon Says Stamp); colored pencils; Stickles glitter glue (Ranger).

 Joining in at House-Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge (theme is Anything Goes + the option of Spring). Check out the fab DT inspirations and if you have any of the House-Mouse stamps do join in- there are great prizes to be had!

 Break time, so I will share my meal and drink from a recent revisit to our favorite hibachi restaurant Komé:

 Of course we had a blast and the food-SO good! My salmon dinner gave me a big meal for the next day as well. Water and warm sake were my drink choices. Joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth and peeps for T Stands For Tuesday.

 One more bit of art, a journal page meant for Art Journal Journey (theme is Having Fun):

 This page is in my Creative Dyary Journal inspired by the Dina Wakley Collage Collective Book as well as her collage tissue papers.

 Joining Paint Party Friday as well. Happy week everyone!

    " Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."     William Wordsworth

This Week's Mixed Bag

 Well, I hadn't planned on starting my post this way but the news of the  Cathedrale de Notre Dame fire and devastation of it in Paris has saddened me so. I have visited this place at least several times, always in awe of this centuries old building. Thankfully no one was injured as the cathedrale had closed for the evening, and artworks and relics have been saved. Only time will tell how much - if any- of this magnificent historic building can be saved.

 On to some art projects.  First up is a bit of play with Distress inks and photoshop:

The stamps are a set by Darkroom Door. I inked the coffee mug with Vintage Photo and Faded Jeans inks then spritzed with water before stamping onto watercolor paper. Then I just stamped around the focal image  to get the excess ink off. The sentiment was stamped in the Vintage Photo then outlined with a black gel pen. The same ink colors were used to add the spatters.

 And then I played with the piece by using the 'Difference Clouds Effect' in Photoshop:

 I really should play with Photoshop more often. There are so many fun effects! Joining T Stands For Tuesday with my coffee art.

 In continuing with a circles challenge I am doing on Instagram here are more backgrounds I created:

 Dina Wakley had posted a genius way to use the white printed collage tissue which is included with her black printed tissue packs! Really, I wasn't so sure how to use them-until now:) She used some of  her new pastel paints to paint the backs of the white patterned tissue before gluing them down. I decided to do the same BUT I used Distress reinkers right from the bottles for a much more vibrant effect. Love it!!

 And who doesn't like having lots of artsy fun? So I created an art journal page using some of my new products:

 Detail pic:

 This page is in my Dina Wakley Media Journal. Products used: DW paints- Blushing, Penny, Peacock, Lime, Cheddar. DW stamp sets: Good Idea, Say It With Flowers. DW Mini Favorites stencil. Tim Holtz Linen layering stencil, Typography collage paper. Archival Jet Black ink. Distress inks- Festive Berries, Worn Lipstick. Distress Oxide inks- Peeled Paint, Twisted Citron.

 I will be joining Art Journal Journey (theme is Having Fun); Paint Party Friday;  the Simon Monday Challenge (Beautiful Blooms), and Try It On Tuesday (Use a Stencil or Two).

 And for anyone celebrating Passover or Easter Sunday I wish you a joyous holiday. I will be hosting my little family for dinner on Sunday. Happy week and weekend!

" Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness."   Floyd Tomkins

This Week's Musings

  Hello Lovelies! It is truly looking and feeling like Spring and I couldn't be happier. We just had a glorious three days of sunshine and temps up to near 80 F. And so as not to miss it, much time was spent outdoors walking, cleaning the yard, washing windows, and meals on the grill. Our outdoor cushions are out again, and I even had my first breakfast at the picnic table this season:)  I hope wherever you are you have been able to enjoy some nice weather too.

 The above circle art is from an Instagram Challenge I am participating in hosted by Birgit Koopsen- "Everything Circles" so I chose to use actual circles. I die cut 30 circles from watercolor paper (one for each day of the challenge this month). They are 3 1/2" wide. I am also going to join Moo Mania and More (theme is polka dots) and Try It on Tuesday ( use a stencil or two). The background is a gelli plate print using a circle stencil and bright paints. The paper dolls and sentiment are Tim Holtz, the fabric tape is Recollections. The heart was punched from blue cardstock and lined with black ink. The rim of the circle was edged with a bright pink Posca Pen.

These are some of the backgrounds I prepared. Top left is mop up paper towels, gift wrap tissue (feathers), and patterned paper. Top right is Tim Holtz collage tissue papers. Bottom right are gelli plate prints, and on the bottom left I stamped sentiments and will watercolor a floral wreath around them. Actually I did post a few of those on IG and will post them here next time:)

   Here is a Spring tag meant for Tag Tuesday (birds,nests, eggs); Moo Mania and More again; and the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Animal Antics):

 Products: large white tag; duck (Simon Says Stamp Showers and Flowers set); sentiment (Simon Says Stamp Choose Joy Set); alcohol markers; Archival Jet Black ink; washi tapes, paper flower, large brad (Recollections); tiny hearts (Doodlebug Design Inc); white gel pen.

 For T Stands For Tuesday I'll share the lovely lunch I had recently with my Mom:

 We went to Jumbars - a quaint café nearby especially to have their delicious quiche. This one was asparagus and mushrooms. Along side we had a nice sized salad with their homemade raspberry vinaigrette. Our drinks were water with lemon. This is another place I love to go to for lunch when out with a friend. Hubby prefers much more substantial meals;)

 Let's see, in keeping with the circles theme here I have this abstract journal page to share with Art Journal Journey for the theme of "Having Fun"-oh- and this actually works also for Try it on Tuesday (use one or more stencils:):

 I was definitely having fun trying out some of my new Dina Wakley paints (Blushing, Peacock, and Penny) by finger painting with them. Have you tried any of her paints? I LOVE them!! Then I added the stencilling - Altenew-Half Tone stencil, and Dylusions - DYS34018. The die is Tim Holtz/Sizzix Thinlets from this set: 660222.

 Joining in at Paint Party Friday too:) Have a fantastic week everyone!

"Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."  Albert Einstein 

Having Fun

 Happy April! Finally the forsythia is blooming albeit sparser than last year. This past Saturday was a glorious 76 F and hubby and I took full advantage by cleaning outside and putting out planters (still empty though) and our furniture on our covered porch out back! Why, I even had on flip flops:):)
 However, Mother Nature has provided us with her April Fool's joke in that we barely reached the LOW 40's F today and it's to dip down to the 20's F tonight:(

 Well, I'm in flower mode and here is a card using one of my new Dina Wakley flowers stamp sets. this is meant for the Simon Wednesday Challenge (Anything Goes), and Try It on Tuesday (say it with flowers):

Products: white card stock, large notecard, washi tape (Recollections); flower image (Dina Wakley Always Flowers stamp set); sentiment (Papertrey Ink- Think Big Favorites 3); brick stencil (Wendy Vecchi); Jet Black ink (Archival); Distress inks - Antique Linen, Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Shaded Lilac, Fossilized Amber.

 I mentioned to a few of you that my Mom recently gave me a box of old postcards:

This is a 12" x 12" box. Here I have somewhat begun to organize them into general categories. The Factory Smokers cigar box holds these kind of postcards:

They are from many different places and have a linen fabric-like feel to them.

 And here are just a few other kinds:

 These are the oldest, the one with the dove has flocking on it, and here is a close up of the oldest postmarked card:

Here are some from the late 40's to early 50's for a laugh:

 See the guy with the mug of beer leaning against the barrel? Well, that's my drink reference today for T Stands For Tuesday:) I have found postcards from France from my Mom's family sent just after she moved with me to the states (she had NO idea these were in the box), and many written to and from family members like great grandparents (most no longer living, and some I know nothing about) from my father's side.
 I won't be keeping everything in the box so I'll have to figure out what to do with the ones I won't keep.

 There is a new challenge this month at Art Journal Journey and the guest host is the lovely Wendy who has chosen the theme of "Having Fun". Welcome Wendy! So for that, Moo Mania and More (theme is Colour), and Paint Party Friday I will share this fun journal page.

 The first layers which began with a floral napkin, text paper, paint, stencils, and some crackle paste:

 then spray inks were added:

here's a detail pic:

and the completed page:

  I soaked this label off the empty bottle of wine (yes I did buy it for the label but it was a good French wine:), stitched the edges and added the sticker (Tim Holtz Snarky Small Talk).

 Thanks for popping in and hope you had some fun along the way! A bientot...

 "Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."   Rumi