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Thursday, March 31, 2011

My First "Calligrafun" Inspired Piece



Well here it is... my first "Calligrafun" inspired piece. I LOVE lettering and Martha Lever has made it so much fun with her "Calligrafun" class. She makes it so easy to learn this creative fun style of lettering. If you want more information on taking one of her classes you can click on her name and that will take you to her blog, or click on "Calligrafun" on my sidebar and this will also take you to her blog. From there she lists her classes in her sidebar. Thanks Martha for teaching such a fun class!

I pray that you are all having a fabulous week. I am staying positive even though it is dark and gloomy with light snow here in Calgary... off to Arizona soon so looking forward to the sunshine!!! Happy day to all of you with many hugs and blessings!


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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Introducing Our Newest Enrollment...



Robin Mead from Insights and Belly Laughs (LOVE THE NAME) has just joined our "All Kinds of Artists" Artist Blog Hop and I was inspired to share this lovely piece with you all. I love the layers and colors she has used, and this is such a happy piece! If you get a chance go and take a look at her blog by clicking on the highlighted Insights and Belly Laughs!

Happy Creating with many hugs and blessings for your week.


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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Angel Wings By Martha Lever




Martha Lever over at Art Du Jour blog had the sweetest post yesterday and I knew that I needed to share it here for you today! Isn't she lovely?

I hope you enjoy her, and the quote as much as I did.

Hugs and blessings



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Monday, March 28, 2011

Sharing With You Again



Cheryl Bakke Martin #605 in the "All Kinds Of Artists" Artist Blog Hop inspired me today with her cute logo. I fell in love with it instantly. Check out her blog for more inspiration if you will.





Nikki Ella Whitlock #557 of the "All Kinds Of Artists" Blog hop has created this most amazing mosaic called Masquerade, a definitely must see. Just think of the time she is putting into this beautiful piece!!! Wow! Go check her blog out if you get a chance.


As I was once again Blog Hopping through the "All Kinds of Artists" Artist Blog Hop I realized something, there are many 'blog hops' out there but mine is a little different in the fact that it never ends. As far as I know most 'blog hops' are contests and at the end a winner is chosen among the entrants. I started the blog hop for one purpose... to gain inspiration and make a place where other like-minded artists gain inspiration as well.

One lady contacted me not certain as to what she was to do after entering her link to the blog hop, so I thought that I needed to explain it to everyone in case some of you do not know... once you have entered your link to the list you now have access to all the artists involved in the blog hop. This means that you need only click on the other links to be brought to the other artist's blogs and to be inspired!

So now everyone knows, go out and be inspired!



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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Found Something Gorgeous You Will LOVE



I found this ladies art on Ingrid Dijkers blog where she describes her experience with taking Julie Nuttings class (the artist of the above piece of art). Both Julie and Ingrid have beautiful blogs so if you get a chance please take a look and you will be inspired!



This is Ingrid's art that she completed in Julie's class, isn't it gorgeous???? I think she did a fabulous job!

I had to share these beautiful pieces of girlie art! I hope you are as inspired as I am!

Happy weekend everyone with many hugs and blessings surrounding you!



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Friday, March 25, 2011

645 ARTISTS signed up!!!! Take a Look!




Diane Costanza #626 in the Artist Blog Hop created this really cute, funny piece of art and I knew I needed to share it with all of you! I love finding art that is unusual and funny and beyond the usual of creativity, I think this piece definitely qualifies don't you? A few months ago I drew a face with a butterfly on a ladies nose but I never finished it. Maybe I will take it out and give it another try. Her blog is beautiful so take a look if you can.




Kris Wiltse #632 in the Artist Blog Hop has a beautiful blog called Drawings From Life in which she has some amazing art work, one being the above watercolor. Please go and check out her blog and give her some blog love.



Linda Teddlie Minton #633 in the Artist Blog Hop has posted these awesome romantic letters from her Grandfather to his future Mother-in-law (click on the picture to read it closer). I was so touched by the chivalry of this letter, the man (her Grandfather) actually asking the mother for his hand in marrying her daughter! What a lost art in todays generation!
We are bringing up our boys with gentlemanly behaviours and habits and pray that they will ask their future parents for permission to marry their daughters! May this art not be lost on my boys!


Well, just a few little goodies to look at from the newer artists that have signed up on the Artist blog hop. Wow, I cannot get over all the talent in these ladies, in all the ladies signed up! If you get a chance browse through some more artists and if you can let me know of some of your favorites I will post them on here.

Hugs and blessings, have a wonderful weekend everyone!


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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Community Art Project Pages Done!







Ahhhhhh! This is what I call a productive art week! Yay! I finished my pages for the Community Art Project Phoenix is having over at her blog

Hugs and blessings everyone!

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Link To Rebecca Anthony - Penny Lane




Hello everyone! Sorry about the link to Rebecca's site not working... Please go HERE and it should work.

http://penandinkbyrebeccaanthony.blogspot.com/

Please let me know if this is not working and I will try and contact Rebecca.

Hugs and blessings everyone!


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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A Journal You MUST SEE



My dear friend Rebecca Anthony over at Penny Lane Ink has just published her beautiful journal pages over on her blog in a book that you can purchase!!!! It is a definitely MUST SEE and I wanted to make sure you all know about it! Go have a look and let me know what you think!

Congratulations Rebecca!

Hugs and blessings





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Girlie Feminine Swap Page Finished




Well I'm all finished my Girlie swap page and I had a lot of fun using my Twinkling H20's (by Luminart - which I am not exactly positive if they are still in business or not as their website did not come up on Google, hmmmm.)to give her a beautiful glow. You can't really tell in the photograph but the H20's are all metallic and shine so beautifully.



I gave her eyes some flowers and funky eyelashes!



And added some fuzzy pink yarn to the top left hand corner to give the page that feminine charm!



And voila! She's finished and ready to be sent off to my swapping partner TJ in Germany! Have a safe flight!

Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend. Yesterday was the first day of spring here and it snowed ALL DAY!!!!! So much for the first day of spring! LOL!

Hugs and blessings


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Monday, March 21, 2011

Life List - Bold the Ones You Have Done

Check out this fun Life List by way of Diane who found it on Dawn DeVries Sokol's blog, D'Blogala... You bold the ones you've done.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (under coersion from my Dad who had a Country band!)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch Knitting, painting, drawing...
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (carrots! Did you know that if you put too many seeds in one hole the carrots grow and twist together?!? LOL
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight (have them all the time with hubbub!)
22. Hitch hiked (unfortunately with my eldest sister! SCARY!)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon actually, I walked most of the way!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (gorgeous!)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke (unfortunately for everyone else around me! LOL)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (saw "Blue Lagoon"
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (Published in three books, but never published a whole book!)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem Really want to
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous Don Diamont From Young & The Restless
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit (From a car accident)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day Many times!





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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Lots of Fun Things To Share With You



I have entered a swap over on Janet's blog Just Me And My Art with the theme "Girlie, Feminine Frilly! The rules are simple, make a 6"x6" piece of art in whatever medium you want to the Girlie theme! I'm all over that as I am a TRUE Girlie, girl! Janet is working with one other lady on this swap and they assign us partners to swap with. How fun is that? This is just a sneak peek at what I've been working on, isn't she pretty?





I have been having a blast this week taking Art Du Jour by Martha Lever's - Calligrafun Class! If you are interested click on the "Calligrafun" picture for it on my sidebar. I have been learning how to create fun letters with zig markers (which I haven't used in a long time), this is an awesome video tutorial series that Martha has created and you are certain to learn many fun techniques!

I haven't taken classes or been apart of a swap in awhile now so this has been a lot of fun for me! I don't know why I haven't done more of these!

Well, I hope you are all having a wonderful week... I am having a FABULOUS quiet day off! This morning I sat in bed listening to the birds chirping... aaaahhhh! What a wonderful life this is!

Many hugs and blessings to all of you!




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Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hello Everyone! New Art Journaling Reads



I hope all of you have had a wonderful creative weekend.
I wanted to share with you what I am reading because I know when all of you share the latest and greatest 'art journaling books' it makes me very happy... so...

First up is this lovely book called "The Journal Junkies Workshop" by Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler. This book intrigued me because it was written by two men, where as most art books that I have are written by women (besides Danny Gregory), this makes the book not as 'mushy' and touchy-feely but really raw, ya... raw is the word that comes to mind but in a fun raw type of way! It is chalked full of ideas and techniques and I am enjoying it so far.

Here is a small look inside...




and another...




As you can see, some really neat stuff!


The second book I want to share with you is a little bit different.



I have been looking at this one on line for awhile and finally decided to buy it ~ Visual Journaling - Going Deeper Than Words by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox.
This book is very touchy-feely ~ definitely written by women - LOL. From what I have read so far it is a lot about getting in touch with your soul through imagery and color. I must admit it is rather disappointing on the eyes, not like all my other journaling reads that are filled with juicy beautiful images of journal pages and such. This one is going to take awhile for me to go through and a lot of inner examination.

Finally... for all you "perfectionists" out there, and you know who you are!!!! I purchased this book!




Yep... Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith!!!! Awesome idea isn't it? It's so awesome that I seriously had an anxiety attack reading through it and discovering what the author expects me to do with this little book (I say as I clench my teeth- SERIOUSLY!)

Perfectionists beware!!!! I didn't realize it bothered me until I set it down and thought about it...
Her suggestions like... "CHEW ON THIS" (She wants me to chew on the page?????)

or

glue,staple or tape these pages together????

or

poke holes in this page with a pencil...

or

use this page as a napkin as you eat a meal...

Okay, it's official! I AM DEFINITELY a PERFECTIONIST!!!! Just the thought of doing the activities in this book makes me want to hyperventilate! But, having said that, I am going to work with my hubbub and my son who are going to help me through it ~ even the part where it says to tie this book to a string and go for a walk dragging it behind you OUTSIDE!

Okay... breathe Kelly... Breathe! You can do this! LOL! Wish me luck!

So just a few juicy and somewhat irritating reads for your lovely bloggers out there. If you get a chance to check them out please let me know what you think about them!

Big hugs and many blessings to you as you begin a brand new week, daylight savings time and all!



















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Friday, March 11, 2011

NEW POST! Wow, it's been too long!




Hello all you lovely bloggers out there! I have missed you dearly! I am guilty of neglecting my blog as of late but I am feeling better now and have a few things to share with you.

The above journal page I completed a few weeks ago but had not posted it. It was right after Valentines Day, I remember because I had originally planned on posting it on Valentines day but didn't get it finished on time. I wasn't feeling particularily romantic this year as I was still in pain from having my Appendix out! However, I just had my 6 week check-up with the surgeon and got a clean bill of health (for that matter anyway)!

While creating this page my thoughts were carried off through the many wonderful years of marriage I have shared with my hubbub. Not all years were wonderful but because we had God and each other they were the best years of my life. Marriage is not always a walk in the park, it takes effort from both sides to make it work. God and communication are the key and when struggles arise you face them together and come out stronger. I am saddened by how many people we know who are or have gone through divorce... I cannot tell you why it happens. I wish that every married couple had the foundation of the Lord to help strengthen their marriage, but sadly they do not. I cannot say that my marriage is perfect, no marriage is perfect but we try hard to work together and love one another through lifes many trials.

When I think back over my marriage I see the many stages, almost like watching our children grow from infancy to young adults now. We were young and naive newlyweds out to conquer the world with HUGE expectations of each other, lives all planned out nice and neat. Like a whirlwind came the kids and the learning, growing and physical testing of our energy. Our plans for our lives on the back burner as we discovered what parenthood was all about. Then came the trials and tribulations as we struggled through my depression, hubbub raising the kids on his own for many years... as I came back to the surface slowly I would contribute as I could. It was a testing time for our marriage and we grew stronger together through it. We learned that we cannot do it on our own but need God to guide us, strengthen us and give us wisdom to be the man and woman He created us to be.

"It is not good for man to be alone, so God created a companion for him" (see Genesis). Marriage is GOOD. It fills me, provides a best friend to laugh, love, pray and live with. I am so blessed to have my Hubbub in my life. Thank you God for giving me the perfect mate, for blessing our marriage and our home. I pray for other marriages, that they are just as blessed, if not more blessed. May Your presence be known and seen in them Dear Lord. Amen.

Praying you all have a wonderful weekend. I may be posting some more within the next couple of days.

Hugs and many blessings to you.

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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Evangeline - Revisiting



Why have I not posted much in a week or so? Well, this is why... I am completely confused and am having such trouble with the wings for Evangeline. I thought that I had an answer and was getting the feel for feathers... Then someone sent me a link.



I was so thankful when one of my followers sent me a video tutorial that helped her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daa2G-FkbGI (this was from Angel from Angel's Thrifty Haven. I thought for sure I had my answer... however...



My feathers don't flow well together and they look more like pine needles on this side. Oy Vay!



So this is where I am at with Evangeline! Half of her feathers look like pine needles and I'm not sure if the other feathers are right either. The poor paper has been erased more times than I care to think about and it is no longer taking the led as well, nor erasing as well.

So once again I am on a quest and seeking your help... Do you have any suggestions that could possibly help me????

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated my dear friends.

Hugs and many blessings to you.









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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Community Art Project - For Phoenix Peacock



My dear friend has a project on the go that she could really use your help in getting going. Please read below for project details and if you can help her I am certain she would deeply appreciate it. Here's what she says about it;

What started this project?
I have been so busy trying to get this up and going, that I have missed giving some important information. For example, what made me do this exactly.

The short answer:
It is a school project, but not. Really, it is so much more to me than that.

The long answer:
I have been wanting to do more collaborative and community-based art for a while now. I hadn't found the time until I was told that I needed to do a final art project as a response to my position as a counseling and art therapy intern at a community youth center that provides free counseling programs and recreational programs to the underprivileged children, youth and their families in a Colorado city.

The youth I am working with now often have labels attached to them - delinquent, rebellious, troubled, gangbanger, at-risk, etc. There has been numerous studies that refer to the perpetuating results that these labels have on the kids. Often the kids are not given a chance because it is assumed they would fail anyway.

In general, it seems that the large community is quick to judge or point out problems in "those" kids and separate into "us/them" or "other" rather than look at the larger picture of "we" as a community. I would like to see a social reframing where we reclaim the idea that "it takes a village."

There are many instances where there are positive community interactions that help shape individuals' lives for the better. My work as an art therapist is an obvious form of this. But there are others, many others. From other mentor roles of teachers and coaches who take that extra step to show support, give guidance, and really listen to the stranger that offers kindness and consideration. This is where my focus is. I would like this project to show just how influential these positive interactions are.

Since the project, in part, is for school, it will be briefly mentioned in my thesis, which focuses on the community involvement in children's lives. The finished journal will be on display when I give my oral presentation to the counseling and art therapy department of my school.

The other reasons I am doing this project are (1) because I fully believe that these sorts of reflections are beneficial for me and those of you who join me. It is important to remember the positive influences in our lives - I have found, personally, that many of those people that I really am grateful for are people that I am not in touch with and may not have ever thanked properly. For some of these individuals I am able to take this opportunity to remember to thank them. Which seems like a mutually beneficial and heart warming experience that both they and I enjoy. Some individuals are people I didn't know that well or don't know how to track down - none the less, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have had them positively influence my life. I feel so fortunate when I think of all the friends, teachers, and coaches that were positive role models. I am able to reflect that without them I may have not survived quite so well in the world. I could have easily gone down much more difficult paths that would have made it difficult to attain the goals I am so proud to have accomplished.

(2) my role as a social advocate as a therapist - it is my goal to have others also recognize where they have come from, what or whom as eased their struggles, and to recognize that sometimes it is the small things that make a big difference in the long run. With this realization there is the hope that they will pass it forward. That little by little we can change the injustices we see in the world around us. That even in small acts, we can make a difference, even if it is in just one life. I truly believe that everyone has the potential to make the world a better place - and it is up to each and everyone of us to fulfill that potential.

(3) this project is also a bit selfish of me. There are times I come home exhausted and overwhelmed from all the negative emotions that I have dealt with at internship. There are also days where I feel such indescribable joy. However, on the days where I am exhausted and overwhelmed, reflections that this project encourages, reminds me that there is hope. There is hope that some of the kids I work with will not deal with such significant injustices their entire lives; there is hope that maybe, just maybe, I can make a positive difference in the lives; there is hope that they will not just survive their childhood and adolescence but thrive thanks to the countless others who have taken the time to do the small but meaningful acts that are reminders that they are worthy, loved, and full of potential.

Here is where you can help:

1. Art journal about a community member(s) that has positively influenced your life. This could be a teacher, student, coach, neighbor, a stranger, anyone that is not related to you. Your interaction(s) could have occurred at any point in your life. Your journaling may be about one person or many; one interaction or many. Your journaling can be on as many pages as you would like, but should include at least one spread to fit inside of a altered composition notebook, measuring 9.5 x 7.5 inches


2. Do one good deed that you would not usually do. Art journal about that experience. Again - feel free to do more than one kind act and journal about each one, but at least do one accompanied by a journal page. The page(s) should also fit inside of the altered composition notebook measuring 9.5x7.5 inches.


Complete both these directives anytime from now until March 31, 2011.


On or before March 31 please mail your pages to:


Phoenix Peacock
423 South Dover Avenue
Lafayette, Colorado 80026
U.S.A.

Thank you for your participation in this project! You can reach Phoenix' blog HERE!
Hugs and blessings to you all



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